Fury, a war movie, boasts a stellar cast and a very authentic portrayal. David Ayer is the movie’s director and writer. He is also known for his movies like ‘Suicide Squad’ and ‘The Fast and Furious.
The story centers around Sergeant Don “Wardaddy”, Collier, and his crew. They embark on a dangerous mission that puts many lives at risk. The movie portrays a lot of tank warfare and gives it a very authentic feel.
Is Fury a True Story or Fiction?
Technically, no. Technically, no. It does not have a direct basis in any one story. Many WWII stories and actual events inspired Ayer. Ayer’s grandfather and father both fought in the Second World War. Ayer grew up listening to their stories, different from any he had ever read or seen. These were personal stories of loss, grief, trauma, and other emotions.
They were about the emotional and personal costs. The shadows of loss and pain constantly haunt my family. This was something I wanted to share with others. It was a battle of good against evil and had an amazing outcome. However, the individual fighting it was like a guy operating in Afghanistan or Vietnam’s jungle. According to Ayer’s interview ( Source).
Additionally, Sergeant Lafayette “Wardaddy” G. Pool inspired the movie ‘Fury. According to RealClearDefense, his tank was called “In the Mood.” Pool’s crew would kill 12 tanks and 258 armored vehicles, self-propelled guns and 1,000 German soldiers in 79 days. The pool had to amputate his leg after being involved in one of the most intense theaters during the Second World War. In the Mood was struck by a German Panther tank.
Another inspiration for the movie was a memoir titled Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division during World War II’ by Belton Y. Cooper. Cooper was part of the 3rd Armored Division that led the attack on the Germans in Normandy. Cooper was “responsible” for coordinating the repair and recovery of damaged American tanks. According to the blurb, this was a dangerous job and required him to travel alone across enemy territory.
Brad Pitt was also part of the cast that interviewed Ray Stewart, a war veteran. Stewart was 19 when he was drafted and served in the 2nd Armored Division during WWII. “Hell on Wheels” was the nickname for this division. It began in Omaha Beach, Normandy and ended in Berlin. Stewart and his companions embarked on a 1,000-mile journey. Stewart participated in numerous battles between those two locations. According to Charlotte Observer, two of his tanks were destroyed with mortars, bazooka fire and antiaircraft guns (88 mm antiaircraft, antitank guns). Stewart recalls that he was a man at the time he came out.
In addition to being inspired by war stories, Fury was filmed using actual World War II equipment. Filming was allowed on tanks that were used during World War II. Ayer and crew were allowed to paint the tanks and customize them to suit the film’s requirements by the owners. After lengthy negotiations, the Bovington Tank Museum provided a specific tank type. This tank was never seen in a movie.
It’s the only German Tiger tank that runs in the world. A battle between a Sherman tank and a Tiger tank was an unforgettable experience.