Search - Tank on DVD

J L S. from OAKLAND, NJ
Reviewed on 10/16/2009...

Enjoyable although implausible story. James Garner's performance is terrific as always.

Tank

Joseph K. Bagdonas | Suburbs of Chicago | 01/09/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoy the 'movie'. I have had it on VHS for years, waiting for it to come out on DVD, to replace the VHS copy I have. However if you previously purchased the first release from Goodtimes Home Video, DON'T waste your money on this 'so-called' newer release.

Other than the picture on the box, this 'newer' release from Universal is no different than the original release of this title from Goodtimes Home Video!

The Product Details 'fails' to mention that this Universal release in the Full Frame Format, just like the version from Goodtimes Home Video. It also 'fails' to state that the Universal release is in 'Mono' just as the release from Goodtimes Home Video. So what's the difference? Both are Full Frame, both are in Mono, which the Product Description fails to mention. The only difference is the picture on the box!

In one of the reviews I read, it stated, "This movie was previously avalable from Goodtimes Home Video in Full Screen Format. As this release is from Universal Studios we can only hope it will be released in it's Original Aspect Ratio."

Well it wasn't! And again, the Product description failed to state this! Also the new release from Universal, just as the release from Goodtimes Home Video, didn't add any additional menu features included on the DVD. So again, what is the difference? They are the same exact DVD, packaged in two different boxes, with the exception that the Goodtimes release is in the 'snap' type box and the Universal is in the 'clamshell' type box."

Never hack off a Sgt. Maj., especially one with his own tank

John A Lee III | San Antonio, TX | 05/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This film will never be remembered as great cinematic art. It will never ever be remembered as great comedy. As drama, it is fairly hokey. That doesn't matter, though. It is fun.

The story is of a Sergeant Major who accepts his last post outside a small southern town. This SGM, however has his own Sherman tank that he and his son restored. The problem is that the town and the entire county is run by a corrupt sherrif who is into liquor, prostitution and bribery. The SGM makes the mistake of hacking of this sherrif so the sherrif arrests the son on a bogus drug charge and sends him to a hellhole of a prison camp. It seems that nothing the SGM can do will help his son so he takes matters into his own hands, fires up the tank and rides to the rescue. From there, is is a chase to the state line.

Most of the elements of this movie are extremely predictable. Stereotypes abound. You almost know what is going to happen before it happens. That does not detract too much from the fun of seeing it happen, though. Some of the antics are so patently absurd as to be unworkable but they work in this movie, whether or not they would ever work in the real world. Its just silly fun.

James Garner is extremely likable as the sarge. This is by no means his greatest work but it looks like it was fun to make. Shirley Jones plays his wife and C. Thomas Howell is the wronged kid. So too are their performances less that stellar but they get the job done.

The good guys win. So does the viewer. Don't expect high art, just the fairly frequent laugh."

SHLOCKEY HOKUM FUN

Tim Janson | Michigan | 12/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Tank is not to be taken real seriously. It's a ridiculously plotted movie that has every cliche available (evil sheriff, dumb deputy, down on her luck prostitute, etc...) but the actors are good enough to lend it some entertainment value.

James GArner plays Sergeant Major Zack Carey, a career military man. When he sees a deputy Baker (james Cromwell) slapping around a prostitute (Jennilee Harrison) he steps in and saves her but now he's run afoul of the evil town Sheriff played by G.D. Spradlin. The Sheriff puts Zack's son (C. Thomas Howell) in Jail on a false drug charge. With nowhere to turn, Zack steals a tank, rescues his son and goes about demolishing the sheriffs town.

Zack will only surrender to the Sheriff in the next town and when the tank is bogged down in mud, the townfolk, who look at Zack as a folk hero, actually pull the tank though the mud and across the country or city line...

Yeah..it's all pretty 1980's cheese but the actors are so enjoyable in it, even if they are two-dimensional. It's good little escapist fun. Garner plays a much different role than the usual more suave characters were used to seeing and Spradlin always handles the role of the villian very well."