Trivia: Staff Sergeant Collier's nickname, "War Daddy" is based on the nickname of real World War 2 Sherman tank commander Staff Sergeant Lafayette G. Pool, who fought with the 3rd Armored Division. Pool survived the war (though he lost a leg from his last combat operation) and died in 1991.
Trivia: Michael Pena, who played Gordo, actually learned how to drive the vintage Sherman tank that was used in the film.
Trivia: Actor Shia LeBeouf, a dedicated method actor who attempts to 'become' his role, avoided bathing for weeks before shooting. The actor had a dentist in Mexico pull a tooth before filming, and cut himself on set several times so he could display realistic wounds for the camera.
Trivia: The sound effects of high-velocity shells are created by the sound of spinning Frisbees taped with whistles mixed with sound of real shell pass-by.
Answer: Although he starts out afraid, awkward and hesitant, Norman gradually becomes battle-hardened throughout the film. But there is one event that probably changes Norman more than anything: When his one-night love interest, Emma, is killed during a German attack. After that, the tank crew realises that Norman has changed, become harder and more focused, and they finally accept him as a team member with the nickname "Machine."
Charles Austin Miller