The article discusses the film *Fury*, directed by David Ayer and released in 2014, which portrays a tank crew’s harrowing experiences during the final days of World War II. Despite its critical acclaim and box office success, the film’s release coincided with a significant scandal at Sony Pictures involving a major hack that leaked internal communications. This hack led to controversies surrounding racial remarks about President Obama, which overshadowed *Fury* but did not impact its theatrical run.
Fury: A Cinematic Journey Through War
World War II has been depicted in various forms on the silver screen, portraying everything from the Allied landings in June 1944 to the assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler. The genre encompasses a vast array of stories, including those of life in concentration camps and individual narratives of exceptional courage. Notable films in this category include Save Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, La Vie est Belle, Schindler’s List, The Longest Day, Inglorious Basterds, The Fall, The Thin Red Line, and La Grande Vadrouille. Although fewer such films are released today, countless stories from this significant historical event remain untold.
In 2014, David Ayer, known for his work on Fast & Furious, Training Day, The Equalizer, and Suicide Squad, directed and wrote Fury. This gripping film captures the trials of a tank crew as they navigate through German territory in April 1945, just before the war’s conclusion. Led by Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier, portrayed by Brad Pitt, the crew operates an M4A2E8 Sherman tank called “Fury.” Accompanying him are gunner Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan (Shia LaBeouf), pilot Corporal Trini ‘Gordo’ Garcia (Michael Peña), and loader-mechanic Grady ‘Coon-Ass’ Travis (Jon Bernthal). They are soon joined by the inexperienced Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman), who replaces the crew’s former co-driver.
This intense narrative depicts the harrowing realities of war, showing Ayer’s willingness to confront the brutal experiences faced by soldiers. Released in October 2014, Fury garnered a positive response from critics and achieved impressive box office success, amassing over $211 million. Viewers can currently find the film available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video through Cine+, OCS, and MyCanal.
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A Major Cyber Incident and Sony’s Scandal
However, the film’s success faced potential turmoil due to a significant incident involving Sony Pictures. In November 2014, shortly after Fury‘s release, Sony experienced a massive cyber hack. The group behind the attack, known as the Guardians of Peace, leaked a vast number of internal emails online. These emails contained Sony’s future project plans and sensitive information related to upcoming films, including The Interview, which some believed was the catalyst for the breach.
This controversial comedy, featuring James Franco and Seth Rogen, revolves around two journalists entangled in an assassination plot targeting North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. While suspicions suggested that North Korea orchestrated the hack, various intelligence agencies expressed skepticism. Compounding the issue, leaked emails included a conversation between Sony Pictures VP Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin, the former president of 20th Century Fox. This exchange, which was later published by Buzzfeed, commented on President Obama’s supposed cinematic preferences, implying that he favored films featuring African-American actors or themes.
This racially charged controversy led to Amy Pascal’s resignation and overshadowed Fury‘s release; however, the film continued its screening without significant disruption.