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During WWII, there were two kinds of war movies: The musical and/or comedy flag-waver for selling war bonds, and the serious flag-waver for selling war bonds. But after the war, returning veterans wrote and directed darker, more cynical movies reflecting what they experienced in the war.

Warner Brothers didn't much care for the cynical war movies. They made pretty much the same kinds of war movies they'd made during the war, but with somewhat bigger budgets. In comparison with the darker movies made by other studios, these WB war movies come off as comic books, a description I use with the utmost affection.

These movies didn't deal with the gore and high cost of war. They continued to glorify the fighting man and, to some extent, his war machines. Warner Brothers made such good war movies as BREAKTHROUGH, TARGET ZERO. By the middle 1950s, WB got too big for their britches and made either over-budgeted dogs like BATTLE CRY or under-budgeted dogs like DARBY'S RANGERS.

But for a few, short years WB reigned supreme and left us with treasures from the early '50s. THE TANKS ARE COMING is probably their best. For what it's worth, it's still the only "tank" movie of any note.

Trivia: George O'Hanlon (Tucker, the tank driver) was the original "George Jetson." You'll recognize his voice immediately.

It's 40 days after the Normandy landing. An American tank squad is rolling in France and heading for Germany. Sgt Sullivan takes over the squad after a devastating lost and the men do not care for their hard-driving leader. Ike is concerned about their tanks' inferior armor but a general assures him that the new tanks are coming.

Tanks. Tanks. Everywhere. Tanks. Tanks. There's lots of tanks. It's nice to see the old tanks and a lot of the equipment. I don't recognize the faces who seem to be a lot of nameless character actors. The action is good although they are often filmed statically along with incorporating some real war footage. This is pretty good for a B-movie.

While this movie was a fairly non-objectionable way to kill 90 minutes since nothing else was really on, I have to say that most of the acting was pure HAM! I was even laughing out-loud as Marconi was gasping and wheezing (for dramatic effect, I suppose) during the radioing-in of the coordinate information for the artillery barrage. Then there was Sullivan's on then off again hayseed accent and mispronunciation of words. There's the fact that MAJORITY of the equipment (tanks and assorted vehicles) that are period incorrect. The blatant insubordination of just about everybody to their superiors. The miraculous overnight (literally) transformation of Sgt. Sullivan from reckless and abusive horse's arse to everyone's buddy and "stand-up" tank commander. Let's not forget the clips of actual scratched and grainy WWII battle footage that was spliced (without ANY attempt of matching whatsoever) together with the newly filmed footage. The terrain of Fort Knox and surrounding areas of Kentucky used as various locations in Germany again without any serious attempt of blending/matching to real European terrain. There was even a bright and sparkly 1950's style concrete and steel overpass in one shot. And the list just goes on. Now.... like I said, It wasn't a hideous movie. At least there were cool tank battles to watch but the acting! Eeeegads!!! Overall I'd say this reminded me of a cheesy 1950's B-grade sci-fi movie (fun but unbelievable) except the subject was American WWII tankers. Anyway...... that's just one guy's opinion, of course! :^)

The best thing that The Tanks Are Coming is good use of actual combat footage well integrated into the film. A whole lot like the Sands Of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Theater. Unfortunately said footage is tied to a rather pedestrian story.

As a lad I remember reading those Sergeant Rock comic books and watching Steve Cochran and the rest of the cast I got the feeling that I was looking at one of those comic books come to life. It shocks me though that Samuel Fuller wrote the original story. That man certainly went on to do bigger and better things in the war film genre.

Not the best work for any of the cast and crew.

What a great cast this is. Steve Cochran is perfect in the role of the hard uncompromising. His character is near to a villain what he often played. But "Sully" turns out as a real hero in an "Audie-Murphy-style". Also very interesting is Philip Carey as Lieutenant. He only was 25 at this time but he radiates wisdom and superior style. All the supporting players are also good although I only knew John McIntire before. The characters are well developed and Lewis Seiler also directed the action sequences very thrilling.

All in all it is an entertaining movie which certainly only shows one side of the medal.