‘Fury’: First footage rolls out for Brad Pitt’s WWII tank drama

Brad Pitt is back on the World War II battlefield in “Fury,” writer-director David Ayer’s upcoming action-drama about a tank crew in Nazi Germany, and Sony has unveiled the first footage from the film, which you can watch above.

Set in 1945, during the final days in the war, “Fury” also stars Michael Pena, Shia LaBoeuf, Jon Bernthal and Logan Lerman as Pitt’s weary comrades, who set out on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.

“The war’s almost over,” Ayer says in the featurette. “They’re exhausted, they’re tired, they’re grief-stricken, they’re combat-fatigued. It’s really about a family under incredible stress.”

In his testosterone-heavy films, Ayer has frequently explored the bonds formed between men in life and death situations. Though many of his movies are set in the world of cops and gangsters — “Training Day,” “Street Kings,” “End of Watch” — Ayer also has a military background, having spent two years in the Navy aboard a nuclear submarine.

As one might expect, the “Fury” footage is marked by explosions, stern-faced soldiers, brotherly embraces and exhortations to carry out the mission at hand.

“Do your job. Do what you’re here for!” Pena shouts at one point. “Do as you’re told. I won’t ask you to do anything I haven’t done myself,” a steely Pitt says at another. (No sign of “Inglourious Basterds”-style cheekiness here.)

Columbia Pictures has slated “Fury” for a Nov. 14 release, suggesting awards-season aspirations, and Pitt’s presence will no doubt help the cause. Ayer, meanwhile, will be looking to rebound from his recent disappointment, “Sabotage,” which flopped earlier this year.

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