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on August 9, 2017
The movie was exactly as described in the description.
on April 5, 2014
Fine acting and story with very good special effects for the time, including tracer rounds and camera shakes from exploding artillery. Germans speak German -- and with no subtitles -- versus the typical English accents as so many other films of the day. James Mason brings out his inner Rommel, portraying the egocentric, tenacious general as we wish he would have done in The Desert Fox. The integration of actual desert war footage is a bit clunky but still works. For B&W-era war movie buffs, The Desert Rats should be on the must-watch list.
on April 29, 2017
Anything with Richard Burton is great!
on August 28, 2017
Nice to go back and watch old movies
on September 22, 2010
A young English officer (played by the young Welshman, Richard Burton), is summoned from his bed to take over a new detachment of raw Australian infantrymen, as they wait impatiently at the docks in Tobruk. The remainder of the film is about the officer's challenges in getting these disgruntled new troops (carrying their inevitable anti-English sentiment) to the point where they become seasoned night-time guerrilla raiders. The encounter between Burton and James Mason (as Rommel) is exquisitely performed. The last stand, on a hilltop overlooking the road from where the British reinforcements are to come, conveys the real tension of men facing up to what they all realize to be 'their last day on this earth', as the Germans mount yet another attack. The "skirl o' the pipes" (the Scottish bagpipes) brings the film to a fitting close. Chips Rafferty performs as the stoic sergeant; a characteristic of all good armies.
Ian Hunter.
Author of The Early Years E-Love E-DreamsE-World Three Interludes Love's Anatomy Conversations Pets: An Adults' Tale
Ian Hunter.
Author of The Early Years E-Love E-DreamsE-World Three Interludes Love's Anatomy Conversations Pets: An Adults' Tale
on August 28, 2017
Two great actors I enjoy watching
on October 8, 2013
I knew what I was getting when I ordered it. It is from a diffirent era of movie making. Many of the British actors fought in WWII, and knew they were telling and important story that needed to be told right.They were great actors and they did exactly that.The story was one of the valor of all comprising that battle group, which eventually made its way down to the most frightened coward of the entire brave force; who, in the end gave his life to save his brothers in arms so they could live a little while longer.
The story is one of Strategy and Heroism, as great as that of the Spartans at Thermopillae. The Allied General was as smart as his German Counter Part, rightly figuring out Rommel's plans and tactics to effectively thwart or reduce the affects of Rommels attacks. The movie titles should be reversed. The Desert Fox should have been the Desert Rat, because this group of Aussies, Brits, etc. lived and fought out of foxholes holding off Rommel and his Afrika Corps for the better part of a year until reinforcements finally came. A great story, well told. The acting compensates for all of the deficiencies for the lack of modern cinematography and effects.
The story is one of Strategy and Heroism, as great as that of the Spartans at Thermopillae. The Allied General was as smart as his German Counter Part, rightly figuring out Rommel's plans and tactics to effectively thwart or reduce the affects of Rommels attacks. The movie titles should be reversed. The Desert Fox should have been the Desert Rat, because this group of Aussies, Brits, etc. lived and fought out of foxholes holding off Rommel and his Afrika Corps for the better part of a year until reinforcements finally came. A great story, well told. The acting compensates for all of the deficiencies for the lack of modern cinematography and effects.
on May 2, 2017
James Mason as Field Marshall Erwin Rommel ? He actually speaks in German. Great action directed by the veteran Robert Wise about the Aussies defending Tobruk against the battle hardened Afrika Korps.
