A gripping new World War Two film has taken the streaming world by storm, with viewers lauding it as a "mind-blowing masterpiece" and it now holding the title of Amazon Prime Video's most-streamed German film of all time. Titled The Tank (released as Der Tiger in Germany), this 2025 production is making waves for its unconventional approach to the war genre.
Plot and Setting
Set in 1943 on the Eastern Front, the film follows a fictional five-man German crew operating a Tiger Tank. They are dispatched on a perilous rescue mission deep behind enemy lines, but their treacherous objective is complicated by the amphetamines the soldiers are taking—a practice historically common among German troops under Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. This element adds a dark layer to the narrative, exploring the psychological toll of warfare.
Cast and Crew
Directed by Dennis Gansel, with a screenplay co-written by Gansel and Colin Teevan, the film stars David Schütter in the lead role as Lieutenant Philip Gerkins. Released on 2nd January 2026 in the UK, it has quickly climbed to the top of Prime Video charts in 28 countries, marking a significant achievement for German cinema on the platform.
Viewer Reactions
Enthusiastic fans have flooded platforms like IMDb with praise. One viewer exclaimed, "Mind blowing. Must watch. It's really difficult to describe without getting into spoiler territory. All I'll say is that things are not what they seem." Another described it as an "excellent anti-war film while being diabolically entertaining," urging audiences to "get off your phone and computer and pick up the damn TV remote."
Many have highlighted the film's emotional depth, with one comment noting, "The Tiger doesn't just entertain, it pulls you in completely. Easily one of the most gripping and emotionally charged films I've seen recently." However, not all feedback has been uniformly positive; some viewers have questioned the plausibility of the storyline and expressed dissatisfaction with the conclusion.
Defending the Finale
In response to criticism about the ending, supporters have come to the film's defence. One argued, "Although many other reviewers say the ending was lacking or was a bad plot twist, I think it was the best one they could do." Another suggested that detractors might have been expecting a more action-packed thriller, stating, "It is my belief that those that are dissatisfied with the ending failed to think upon it and were expecting a dopamine rushing action. But actually the ending gives us a dopamine rushing thought process of the past, actions taken and many regrets."
Production Quality and Impact
Praised for its high production values, the film has been commended for everything from writing and direction to camera work and sound. A viewer remarked, "Everything from the writing to direction, camera work, sound etc are stunning. I understand the people who thought it was a normal war movie may have been a bit stunned but this is far more than that." This attention to detail has contributed to its record-breaking success on Prime Video.
Rated 15 for violence, injury detail, threat, and distressing scenes, viewer discretion is advised. The Tank is now available to stream on Prime Video, offering a thought-provoking take on World War Two that challenges conventional war film tropes.
