The Desert Rats
starring: Richard Burton, James Mason, Robert Newton, Robert Douglas, Torin Thatcher
directed by: Robert Wise
directed by: Robert Wise
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Product Description:
An allied captain goes head-to-head with nazi field marshal rommel at the siege of tobruk in this gritty follow-up to the desert fox.Studio: TcfheRelease Date: 04/24/2007Starring: Richard Burton James MasonRun time: 88 minutes
Amazon.com:
In his second Hollywood role (between Oscar-nominated turns in MyCousin Rachel and The Robe), Richard Burton stars as a Scottishcommando put in charge of a battalion of the 9th Australian Division defending Tobruk. The Aussies don't like him, and with a year of grim North African duty already under his belt, he's not too crazy about his new responsibilities either. The outfit is charged with staving off the battering assaults of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel for two months, to give the British Army time to regroup in Cairo and prepare for a counterattack.In the end, the "desert rats" play hell with the Desert Fox for 242 days, during which they and their commander develop some mutual respect.
This is a solid, workmanlike World War II picture that, having been made in 1953 rather than 1943, can acknowledge a degree of eccentric humanity and soldierly professionalism in the enemy. Featured guest star James Mason reprises his Rommel from The Desert Fox (1951)--playing all his scenes in German except for a scene of ironical repartee with Burton.Another distinguished Brit, Robert Newton, gets costar billing as a boozy, self-confessed coward who used to be Burton's schoolmaster once upon a time. However, a goodly number of Australians--including Chips Rafferty and Charles "Bud" Tingwell (still going strong nearly 50 years later in Paul Cox's wonderful Innocence)--rate at least as much screen time.Robert Wise directed, with a trimness that reminds us he started out as an editor, and the pungent black-and-white cinematography is by Lucien Ballard. --Richard T. Jameson
An allied captain goes head-to-head with nazi field marshal rommel at the siege of tobruk in this gritty follow-up to the desert fox.Studio: TcfheRelease Date: 04/24/2007Starring: Richard Burton James MasonRun time: 88 minutes
Amazon.com:
In his second Hollywood role (between Oscar-nominated turns in MyCousin Rachel and The Robe), Richard Burton stars as a Scottishcommando put in charge of a battalion of the 9th Australian Division defending Tobruk. The Aussies don't like him, and with a year of grim North African duty already under his belt, he's not too crazy about his new responsibilities either. The outfit is charged with staving off the battering assaults of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel for two months, to give the British Army time to regroup in Cairo and prepare for a counterattack.In the end, the "desert rats" play hell with the Desert Fox for 242 days, during which they and their commander develop some mutual respect.
This is a solid, workmanlike World War II picture that, having been made in 1953 rather than 1943, can acknowledge a degree of eccentric humanity and soldierly professionalism in the enemy. Featured guest star James Mason reprises his Rommel from The Desert Fox (1951)--playing all his scenes in German except for a scene of ironical repartee with Burton.Another distinguished Brit, Robert Newton, gets costar billing as a boozy, self-confessed coward who used to be Burton's schoolmaster once upon a time. However, a goodly number of Australians--including Chips Rafferty and Charles "Bud" Tingwell (still going strong nearly 50 years later in Paul Cox's wonderful Innocence)--rate at least as much screen time.Robert Wise directed, with a trimness that reminds us he started out as an editor, and the pungent black-and-white cinematography is by Lucien Ballard. --Richard T. Jameson
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Not Quite As Impressed
I wasn't quite as impressed with this film as the rest of the reviewers here. The Desert Rats was a rather quickly slapped together sequel to The Desert Fox, which I enjoyed much more. For anyone expecting to see much of James Mason as Rommel, don't hold your breath. At most, Mason's work added up to maybe 6-7 minutes of footage, about 90% of which takes place during a single scene. Parts of his appearances in the film could have just been outtakes from the Desert Fox, as they seemed rather disjointed ... Read More
Rating: 
- A GREAT MOVIE
This is a great WWII movie.Richard Burton at his best.VHS tape was received in very good condition.
Rating: - Good Movie
A bit on the hammy side, but still a very enjoyable movie, depicts a true event during WWII and how war can make strange bed fellows.Good action and good effect for the time.
Rating: - they were rats that's for sure
Well the British took a beating but the Germans took a pounding, this movie has a great plot to go with the story. Now Richard Burton played in many movies but I'd have to say this is one of he's best on film.
This B/W flick will put you in the desert with the whole unit to fight the desert fox, all in all get this movie it's a good one.
Rating: - The Desert Rats
I enjoyed this movie, Its a different kind of work movie. I highly Recommended !
- Not Quite As ImpressedI wasn't quite as impressed with this film as the rest of the reviewers here. The Desert Rats was a rather quickly slapped together sequel to The Desert Fox, which I enjoyed much more. For anyone expecting to see much of James Mason as Rommel, don't hold your breath. At most, Mason's work added up to maybe 6-7 minutes of footage, about 90% of which takes place during a single scene. Parts of his appearances in the film could have just been outtakes from the Desert Fox, as they seemed rather disjointed ... Read More
- A GREAT MOVIEThis is a great WWII movie.Richard Burton at his best.VHS tape was received in very good condition.
- Good MovieA bit on the hammy side, but still a very enjoyable movie, depicts a true event during WWII and how war can make strange bed fellows.Good action and good effect for the time.
- they were rats that's for sureWell the British took a beating but the Germans took a pounding, this movie has a great plot to go with the story. Now Richard Burton played in many movies but I'd have to say this is one of he's best on film.
This B/W flick will put you in the desert with the whole unit to fight the desert fox, all in all get this movie it's a good one.
- The Desert RatsI enjoyed this movie, Its a different kind of work movie. I highly Recommended !
