Tank
Sergeant Major Zack arrives at a new army base with his wife, son and Sherman tank. One night at a bar he "stops" a pimp/deputy from beating a girl. The corrupt sheriff uses Zack's son for revenge and Zack uses his tank.
The film earned $14.1M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Tank (1984) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Marvin J. Chomsky's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 53 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Sgt. Major Zack Carey
LaDonna Carey
Sheriff Buelton
Billy Carey
Deputy Euclid Baker
Sarah
Col. Daniel Tucker
Main Cast & Characters
Sgt. Major Zack Carey
Played by James Garner
A principled Army NCO who uses his Sherman tank to rescue his son from corrupt law enforcement
LaDonna Carey
Played by Shirley Jones
Zack's supportive wife who stands by him during the conflict with local authorities
Sheriff Buelton
Played by G.D. Spradlin
A corrupt small-town sheriff who abuses his power and frames Zack's son
Billy Carey
Played by C. Thomas Howell
Zack's teenage son who is falsely imprisoned after witnessing a crime
Deputy Euclid Baker
Played by James Cromwell
The sheriff's brutal deputy who commits violence against prisoners
Sarah
Played by Jenilee Harrison
A young woman who Billy tries to defend, leading to his arrest
Col. Daniel Tucker
Played by Dorian Harewood
Zack's commanding officer who must balance duty with friendship
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Command Sergeant Major Zack Carey parades his fully restored WWII Sherman tank at a military base celebration, proud family man enjoying his final posting before retirement.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Billy and his girlfriend witness corrupt Sheriff Buelton and deputies accepting payoffs from a local prostitute. The sheriff notices they've been seen, setting conflict in motion.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Sheriff Buelton frames Billy on false drug charges and has him brutally beaten in custody. Carey witnesses his son's injuries and realizes the system won't deliver justice. He chooses to act., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Successful escape with Billy freed. False victory: the family is together and heading toward state line in the tank. They believe they've won, but the stakes are about to escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, National Guard surrounds the tank with overwhelming force. Carey faces the death of his military career, court-martial, and possibly his family's future. His moral stand may cost everything., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 91 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Media coverage reveals the truth about Sheriff Buelton's corruption. Public opinion shifts. A sympathetic general offers Carey a way out: the sheriff will be investigated if Carey surrenders peacefully., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Tank's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Tank against these established plot points, we can identify how Marvin J. Chomsky utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Tank within the action genre.
Marvin J. Chomsky's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Marvin J. Chomsky films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Tank represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Marvin J. Chomsky filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Marvin J. Chomsky analyses, see Evel Knievel.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Command Sergeant Major Zack Carey parades his fully restored WWII Sherman tank at a military base celebration, proud family man enjoying his final posting before retirement.
Theme
Carey's wife LaDonna says, "Sometimes you have to know when to bend and when to stand your ground." Theme of justice vs. authority, when to compromise vs. when to fight.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Carey's world: devoted family man, respected military career, beloved tank hobby, strong moral code. Son Billy is dating local girl. Family relocates to Georgia base for final assignment.
Disruption
Billy and his girlfriend witness corrupt Sheriff Buelton and deputies accepting payoffs from a local prostitute. The sheriff notices they've been seen, setting conflict in motion.
Resistance
Sheriff harasses Billy. Carey tries diplomatic approaches through military and legal channels. He debates whether to get involved or let the system work, but corruption runs deep in the small Georgia town.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Sheriff Buelton frames Billy on false drug charges and has him brutally beaten in custody. Carey witnesses his son's injuries and realizes the system won't deliver justice. He chooses to act.
Mirror World
Carey bonds with LaDonna and daughter Sarah as they commit to supporting his decision. The family unit becomes the thematic mirror showing what he's fighting for: protection of the innocent.
Premise
Carey prepares the tank, recruiting his crew. He stages a bold jailbreak, crashing the Sherman through the courthouse wall to free Billy. The "promise of the premise": a man vs. corrupt system with a tank.
Midpoint
Successful escape with Billy freed. False victory: the family is together and heading toward state line in the tank. They believe they've won, but the stakes are about to escalate dramatically.
Opposition
Sheriff calls in state police and National Guard. Media coverage turns against Carey. Military superiors pressure him to surrender. Roadblocks multiply. The tank becomes a slow-moving target with diminishing options.
Collapse
National Guard surrounds the tank with overwhelming force. Carey faces the death of his military career, court-martial, and possibly his family's future. His moral stand may cost everything.
Crisis
Carey contemplates surrender in the dark night. He questions whether his pride has endangered his family. LaDonna and Billy reassure him that standing up to injustice was right, regardless of outcome.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Media coverage reveals the truth about Sheriff Buelton's corruption. Public opinion shifts. A sympathetic general offers Carey a way out: the sheriff will be investigated if Carey surrenders peacefully.
Synthesis
Carey negotiates terms protecting his family and ensuring real justice. The sheriff is arrested. Carey faces military tribunal but receives lenient treatment due to public support and exposed corruption.
Transformation
Carey, in dress uniform, drives the tank one final time with his family aboard, celebrated as a folk hero. The man who knew when to stand his ground has transformed from soldier to symbol of justice.