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Interesting films for war movie enthusiasts, where it's possible to witness a substantial deployment of Sherman tanks and the famous first US 90 mm-gunned tank (M26 Pershing), although erroneously utilized since it did not become operational until February 1945, rather than in the fall of 1944 when the film is set.

Aside from the display of these military assets, which were still abundant at the time of filming, only a few years after the conclusion of WW2 and with a continued strong American military presence in liberated territories, the movie doesn't offer much more. The narrative is quite lacking, and the characters are only superficially sketched.

The use of real footage, well integrated with the fictional sequences filmed for the occasion, is interesting. The cinematography stands out solely due to its subject matter, and on very few occasions does it contribute more to the storytelling. The film earns a passing grade, but nothing more, as it is replete with the typical resources of American war-themed cinema, which doesn't make an effort to disguise its underlying purpose, which is war propaganda. However, we are accustomed to this, as this particular cinematic vein always has to contend with this aspect.

This movie begins 40 days after the D-Day landing in Normandy with an element of the American 3rd Armored Division known as C Company preparing to engage German units near the vaunted Siegfried Line. Unfortunately, as the company advances one of the platoon sergeants named "SSG Joe Davis" (Michael Stelle) is seriously wounded and as a result another NCO by the name of "SSG F.A. Sullivan" (Steve Cochran) is selected to be his replacement. However, SSG Sullivan turns out to be nothing like his predecessor as he soon gains a reputation of being overly-ambitious, arrogant and reckless. And needless to say his penchant for taking dangerous risks doesn't sit well with the tank crews under him. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a decent World War 2 film that featured some good, realistic combat action scenes. One particular example was the manner in which the Sherman tanks had to maneuver to take out the Panther tanks from the side as they were no match one-on-one. Likewise, the scenario of having soldiers escape from their burning tanks and subsequently acquiring another Sherman tank as a replacement was also quite accurate as well. On the flip side, however, I didn't particularly care for some of the scenarios involving the personal dynamics of the individual characters. The scene involving "PFC George 'Ike' Eisenhower" (James Dobson) and the division commander was especially hokey. Be that as it may, I thought that this was an adequate film all things considered and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

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.

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.

THE TANKS ARE COMING (1951) covered our (U.S. Army) Armored SpearHead and its problems during the war in Europe (WWII). The main problem being our Tanks were just not as good as our opponents the Nazi Germans. A captured German Tank Commander once commented "One (1) of our tanks are better then twelve (12) of yours, but you always have a thirteenth (13th)". True, we could (and the Russians) out produce by a factor of ten (10) to one (1) or more. That did not help the crews inside these coffins when inadequate armor (and firepower) gave little or no protection at all.

The movie starts off clearly showing these inadequacies. As our Tank Platoon with Shermans takes on a German Panther (a disguised M36 sitting in). Our shells bounce off, theirs go right through. The film illustrates this well with the guns sound effects. Our guns sound like cap pistols the Germans like thunder. The story goes on from there as determination and guts have to overcome technological limitations. Toward the end our hero's get a M26 Pershing which had both the Armor and Gun to take on their opponents in a equitable manner. A little late for those who already had made the supreme sacrifice.

It took awhile but lessons were learned and are reflected in the current equipment of the U.S. ARMY. The M1A2 Abrams and the other Armored Vehicles are World Class and second to none. Their only equivalents are also made/used by our allies (for the most part). One (1) further note this film should not be confused with the Warner Brothers Short of the same name made in 1941, also reviewed.