Hitler's Last Stand

Panzer Rush is a one‑off TV episode set during the Battle of the Bulge, starring up‑and‑coming actor Jake Henderson as a green US scout and veteran character actor Michael Keen as his grizzled sergeant. It’s essentially a gritty, wartime “night‑in‑the‑woods” story, shot on location in the Ardennes with a modest but competent crew. Think of it as a smaller‑scale cousin to the early episodes of Band of Brothers, but with a single‑character focus. The plot follows the scout after he gets separated from his regiment during the chaotic fighting. He spends a tense night trapped behind enemy lines, trying to stay alive while the forest echoes with artillery and the occasional German patrol. Along the way he stumbles on a hidden bunker, a lone French resistance girl, and a mysterious set of abandoned tanks that give the episode its title. The tension builds as he must decide whether to keep moving or risk a daring rescue, all while the weather turns brutal. Honestly, the episode is a mixed bag. The atmosphere is surprisingly good – the cold, foggy woods feel almost tactile, and the sound design does a brilliant job of making you hear every distant rumble. However, the pacing drags in the middle, and the special effects on the tanks look a bit ropy by today’s standards. The lead does a proper job with the scared‑kid vibe, but the script leans on clichés at times. If you enjoy tight, character‑driven war dramas and can overlook a few dated moments, it’s worth a watch; otherwise, you might find it a bit too slow. Rated 12A (UK) – there’s realistic combat, some graphic injuries and occasional strong language. First terrestrial showing this week, so it’s fresh for anyone who missed the streaming release. Fair warning: the night‑time scenes are dark, so keep the lights on if you’re watching on a small screen.