Tank (1984)

Because the “good old boy” way of doing things needs to get steamrolled by a 1942 M4 Sherman tank from time to time!

There are a few valuable lessons to be learned from this sometimes witty Smokey and the Bandit wannabe title, but where to start?  Jenilee Harrison makes for a good looking prostitute, but NEVER hit a woman, bro.  Let’s start there.  Good on Garner for putting an end to that kind of abuse.  

I mean, sure, you have to overlook a lot of warts on this one to get to the morals in this weak narrative, but - apart from the cultural stereotypes - this freewheeling ride through a similar-looking Hazard County remains a paper-thin BLAST from the past.  Just know that this one is a sorta one and done type of movie . . . because nothing holds up to intense scrutiny. 

And now Tank arrives on blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, complete with a commentary from Bryan Reesman, an entertainment journalist and author.Tank (1984)

Back to the lessons in this B-grade flick filled with MEAN CRACKERS.  Let’s see . . . a person should probably prepare to take the law into his or her own hands when they stop a deputy from smacking around a prostitute.  People, especially in a small southern town on the edge of nowhere, just aren’t going to take too kindly to that sort of interference.  It doesn’t matter just how tough but fair your own personal creed and reputation is.  

Clemmons County, Georgia might be a simple stand-in for Fort Benning, but there’s no denying Tank’s intent as one commander, on the eve of retiring, finds himself taking matters into his own hands when his son is unfairly jailed due to bogus drug charges.  When negotiations don’t work, the sheriff sends his son to a prison farm where the poor boy is bound to get raped!  Thankfully, this soldier is a MAN OF ACTION!  It also helps that he owns a tank and, well, he's about to drive it through a lot of shit in order to rescue his son and get to the border in order to draw attention to this CORRUPTION

Directed by Marvin J. Chomsky (Holocaust) and starring the one and only James Garner (Support Your Local Sheriff) as Sergeant-Major Zack Carey, Tank is the crowd-pleasing romp you remember it being.  Thanks to a supporting cast which includes James Cromwell (Babe), Elmer Gantry, C. Thomas Howell, G.D. Spradlin as Sheriff Buelton, and a World War II Sherman tank, the drama and the action HIT HARD!

Get your TANK fix with James Garner in Tank.

3/5 beers

 

Tank (1984)

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Kino Lorber
Available on Blu-ray
- May 11, 2021
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles
: English
Audio:
Dolby Digital mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Screen legend James Garner (Support Your Local Sheriff) stars in this story of love, honor and loyalty, featuring Shirley Jones (Elmer Gantry), C. Thomas Howell (Grandview, U.S.A.), G.D. Spradlin (The Hunting Party), James Cromwell (Babe) and Jenilee Harrison (TV’s Three’s Company). Sergeant-Major Zack Carey (James Garner) is completing his final stint of duty at a post in a small southern town. After defending a prostitute (Harrison), he finds himself doing battle with the town’s maniacal sheriff (Spradlin). When the sheriff jails Zack’s son Billy (Howell) on a phony drug charge, the sergeant takes justice into his own hands—with help from his personal World War II Sherman tank! Written by Dan Gordon (Gotcha!, Passenger 57) and directed by television veteran Marvin J. Chomsky (Holocaust).

Video:

Kino Lorber presents the newly minted transfer of Tank with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1.  The 1080p transfer is minted from a new HD master from the original camera negative.  Details are fine and shockingly crisp.  Colors pop and shadows are bold.  Nicely saturated, there are no dents in its shiny armor.  Overall this a strong Hi-Def transfer that should look even better on Blu-ray. 

Audio:

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English. The audio mixes are also in great shape as dialog is always clear, everything sounds balanced and robust when it needs, too. Also the more ambient aspects of the soundtrack are well represented.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • There is a NEW Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalist and Author Bryan Reesman which will excite fans.

Special Features:

Outside of the commentary, there is a theatrical trailer and 4 radio spots included.

  • 4 Radio Spots (2 in English & 2 in Spanish)
  • Theatrical Trailer

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 3/5 stars
  Video  3/5 stars
  Audio 3/5 stars
  Extras 2/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

3/5 stars


Film Details

Tank (1984)

MPAA Rating: PG.
Runtime:
113 mins
Director
: Marvin J. Chomsky
Writer:
Dan Gordon
Cast:
James Garner, Shirley Jones, C. Thomas Howell
Genre
: Comedy | Action
Tagline:
A tank a day keeps the law away.
Memorable Movie Quote: "We're not runnin' from the law. We're runnin' *to* the law."
Theatrical Distributor:
Universal Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date:
March 16, 1984
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
May 11, 2021.
Synopsis: Sergeant Major Zack Carey is serving what is his final tour of duty at an Army base somewhere in the South. Zack doesn't like the way the Army keeps the base and the bar is not what he's accustomed to. So he goes off base to get a beer. When he goes to the bar one of the local prostitutes tries to come on to Zack but Zack turns her down. That's when the deputy who appears to be her pimp beats her up. That's when Zack strikes him. Later he learns that the Sheriff is corrupt and takes what happened to the Deputy as an attack on him and tries to get Zack but the Army backs him and Zack is not intimidated.

Art

Tank (1984)