A powerful German war film, hailed by audiences as a gripping and compelling watch, has now landed on Amazon Prime Video for UK viewers. 'Der Tiger', known internationally as 'The Tank', became available for streaming earlier this month.
A Descent into the Heart of Darkness
The film, directed by Dennis Gansel, is set on the Eastern Front in 1943. It follows a German Tiger tank crew on a perilous mission to rescue a missing officer, Paul von Hardenburg, from a top-secret bunker behind enemy lines. As they navigate lethal no-man's land, the soldiers must battle both the external enemy and their own inner demons. The narrative is further fuelled by the historical reality of the Wehrmacht's use of methamphetamine, turning the operation into a harrowing journey into madness.
The ensemble cast features David Schütter, Laurence Rupp, Leonard Kunz, Sebastian Urzendowsky and Yoran Leicher. The project has seen a significant global release, being rolled out across 240 territories on Amazon's streaming platform.
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Reaction
Critics have drawn comparisons to major Hollywood war epics. The Telegraph noted it plays like a German answer to Brad Pitt's Fury, complete with intense tank combat, while also carrying a touch of Saving Private Ryan in its mission-focused narrative.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have been effusive in their praise. One fan, Neil, described it as "Das Boot in a Tiger", applauding the believable actors, realistic battle fatigue, and excellent cinematography. Others have highlighted its psychological depth, with viewer JWL stating it is "less a 'war movie' and more a very dark psychological journey into madness." Dominic called it a "haunting psychological reckoning" and a "moral autopsy" that wrestles with conscience and culpability. The film has been labelled a 'masterpiece', 'outstanding' and 'mind-blowing' by its audience.
The Director's Personal Connection and Controversial Choices
Director Dennis Gansel wove personal history into the film, drawing on his grandfather's experiences as a German soldier in World War Two. He grew up hearing sanitised 'old soldier' tales, but later witnessed his grandfather share darker, more traumatic stories that were never repeated. "They opened a book and then closed it again," Gansel recalled.
Gansel is no stranger to exploring difficult German history, having previously directed Before the Fall and The Wave. He acknowledged the unusual nature of depicting Nazi soldiers as protagonists in German cinema, telling The Telegraph: "Every time you do it there's a big discussion about it." His aim was not to generate sympathy for Nazis, but to foster a deeper understanding of how such ideologies take hold, countering the perception that everyone was in the resistance.
Despite widespread praise, the film's ending has proven divisive. Some viewers found it 'unexpected', while others criticised it as 'disappointing', 'confusing', or an 'afterthought'. Gansel admitted the backlash was more intense than he anticipated, causing him to doubt some of his creative decisions.
'The Tank' is available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video.
