FURY - How a Museum with a Sherman Made a Movie

If you enjoyed the 2014 movie FURY, watch this and get the inside scoop behind The Tank Museum’s role in David Ayer’s Hollywood production.

Ten years on from its release, David Willey describes how one of The Tank Museum’s Shermans and Tiger 131 took starring roles alongside Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal.

From initial discussions to the red carpet, David reveals every inch of the process, the lessons learned and the impact it has had on The Tank Museum.

Let us know what you thought of FURY and our tank’s performance in it in the comments below… What else would you like to know?

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00:00 | Intro
00:50 | Fury - The Beginning
02:48 | Tiger Inquiries
05:00 | Insurance & Contracts
08:06 | Hollywood in Dorset
09:51 | On Set & Filming
14:55 | Was it worth it?
16:34 | Fury's Longevity

This video features archive footage courtesy of British Pathé.

#tankmuseum #fury #bradpitt #davidwilley #hollywood #behindthescenes #shialebouf #loganlerman #michaelpeña #jonbernthal #tiger131 #sherman

[headshot]

The Tank Museum is the only museum in the world involved in making a movie that in exchange for using it's star exhibit, in this case Tiger 131, _demanded the head_ of the lead actor and keeps it in a glass box. I hope you're all proud of yourselves..

[jackiemortes]

Before anyone starts, yes, we know the Tiger scene is not entirely accurate, thank you for your insights, you're all very smart indeed.

[swancman]

As a curator of a museum in the USA, I appreciate this short documentary being told from the perspective of the museum. Brought up a lot of points about museums using collection items and the risks-and-benefits of it. I'll be sharing this video with some of the museum groups I'm in. Fury is an awesome movie and I'm proud to have it in my physical media collection at home!

[Doc_Tar]

The inclusion of real tanks from the era makes "Fury" so much better than other WWII movies like "Battle of the Bulge."

[thetankmuseum]

Hey Tank-Nuts! We hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes look at our role in the film Fury. Let us know what you thought in the comments.

[jeffreyholdeman]

Can’t express how interesting the ‘reservations’ of the museum were to hear about. I think I speak for everyone who has seen the film by saying, thank you.

[UnholyDeath]

Watching the amazing tanks in Fury was a motivating factor for me to make the nearly 5, 000 mile journey from the Western USA to the Tank Museum in England to see Fury and Tiger 131. I can now say I have touched both Tiger 131 and Fury! :D

[BeatRoot]

This film was elevated by the tank museum being apart of it. I do enjoy the film for what it is, a film, made with passion by everyone involved.

[bensmiling]

I wish my Dad could have watched this video. His father was a Sherman crew member in WW2, my Dad worked on Chieftains when he was in REME. I have been a regular visitor to the museum since I was 5 (now 42). My Dad once bought clipboards and made a quiz for me and my sister to complete as we went round. Last visited with Dad in 2021 shortly before he passed away. He would have loved this insight. Thank you all.

[Floodric]

Seeing Tiger 131 in Fury is what made me visit the museum from ireland. I imagine i wasnt the only one brought to Bovington because of it.

[podfuk]

I'm applauding both The Tank Museum and The Fury film crew for all the hard work and effort to present us the real deal equipment on the silver screen!

[markstott]

I watched the film a 2-3 years ago on a whim. I knew nothing about the film. I still don't know when it was released. My one thought at the time was " finally a film where the tanks look real."
It now makes sense. 😊😊❤❤❤😊😊

[maddog]

I thought you did a first rate job. I was very pleased and honored to see what our grandfathers had to go thru to win. I value my freedoms even more after seeing your work. Thank you very much.

[viandengalacticspaceyards]

Having worked 33 years in film, this warms my heart.
Actually, when I saw the movie, I had no idea the Museum was involved, but was impressed by the real feeling. That's a bit hard to do.
We can make very good fakes of all things, but it's still not all that easy for actors to act real around fakes, let alone using them.
As an understatement, I'll say "Good job, all around."

[EddietheBastard]

A wonderful example sensitivity from hollywood and cooperation from a museum and armed forces. Hopefully the payments and publicity will help ensure the futures of Fury, Tiger131 and the musuem, enabling them to continue their roles as memorials, educational resources, and living history.
Thanks so much for this video.

[jacovanjaarsveld]

I visited my cousin in the UK. I live in South africa, and I must say it was one of the best things we did in the U.K. I now work with T6 Havards, and you guys are a role model for us to bring history alive to people

[antonionunes]

Fury and the tiger collection are the main reference for me to go to your museum for the first time. Not in a good day because Tiger 1 it's in cleaning mode outside the exposition but the museum personnel are so professional that they call us to see and photograph the tank in the cleaning station. Love your personal and the professionalism they put in the Job.
Many thanks from Portugal.
António

[peterose]

Insanely cool, i understand all the resistance some must have felt. Mike looks like he's genuinly concerned for his Tiger at 11:20 for example. The movie in the end was splendid and respect to the movie-crew for being helpful and respectfull to the Tank Museums wishes.

[kevinNagel]

Personally, as a student of history, I’m absolutely overjoyed that the museum would get involved in such monumental program and production. I never looked into the ownership of the tanks, used in Fury but I will say as a Canadian that I am very happy to know that I can visit your museum now that I do know that these tanks are still out there and that they were actual World War II relics. What a fantastic museum you have I can’t wait to go there

[ninetenduh]

The fact that the filmmaker did everything to ensure that the tiger was treated as well as possible and basically fulfill every wish or concern mentioned by the museum staff shows a lot of dedication, and an even greater amount of respect, not many can say "we had an actual tiger in our film".

The crew and filmmaker clearly understood the responsibility they took on.