The Desert Rats

From the Editors

Richard Burton stars in this exciting story of the stubborn, courageous men who held Rommel at bay in North Africa despite hopelessly outnumbered. The year is 1941, and Rommel has the British in full retreat. All that stands between him and the Suez Canal is the fortress of Tobruk, manned by a small army of Australian troops who are ordered to hold this vital position at any cost. Many of the men are green recruits, and it falls to Capt. MacRoberts (Burton) to whip them into shape. A bold tactician who realizes they will soon be overwhelmed if they do not take the offensive, MacRoberts leads countless daredevil raids that keep the superior enemy off-balance and earn his men the famous nickname they "won with blood and bore with pride." Directed by Robert Wise and co-starring James Mason in a reprise performance as Field Marshall Rommel (whom he first played in "The Desert Fox"), this stirring blend of action and history pays tribute to the heroic men known in the annals of war as The Desert Rats.
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Customer Response

Truly Classic Movie
Great movie and a true period piece, in both what it was about and the way it was made. Great directing and acting.

The Desert Rats
I gave this movie to my husband to add to his collection. He was very happy to receive it. JJ

Character-Driven Film w/Guns Blazing!
Desert Rats

This is a fictionalized story of the defense of Torbruk by a green band of Aussies under the command of a British commander, Tommy (played by Richard Burton).

The Aussies are green alright, and they're grousing about their Brit commander and though they try to do the right thing, they're often chastised by Tom. Tom is of the mind that disobedience to orders or to follow your heart, rather than being cold and calculating can mean death to the battalion.

Regardless, he softens a bit, especially with one of the men who used to be his school teacher back in the day, a man who admittedly is a coward, and who tries to guide Tom through this rough time.

James Mason reprises his role as Rommel, the supreme German commander. Mason does not get a lot of "air time" in this film, but when he does he does it so well. Unlike "Desert Fox", his commanding presence, and near perfect German is admiring.

The realistic war scenes, the bombs exploding, the death and sacrifice are as realistic as Robert Wise can make it.

This film reminds me of the old TV series, Rat Patrol.

Will an out-gunned and out-numbered force of green soldiers be able to out-match the superior German forces? If they don't, the Germans will capture the Suez and thus take control of a major shipping and supply line to the Allies, and control the oil coming out of the Arabian Peninsula. Not a good thing.

In watching these war pictures, one gets the feeling that we got lucky winning World War II. If it were not for Hitler's bungling, men like Rommel would have had the skill to take control of wide territories.

But we had Richard Burton!

Recommended!!

Other James Mason films:

The Desert Fox
Cross of Iron (Full Screen)

Other Richard Burton films:

Bitter Victory
Where Eagles Dare

Australians at the Siege of Tobruk
This is an excellent movie about the Siege of Tobruk during WW2 and some of the Australians who fought in it. A true classic and if you're a fan of war movies, it's a must buy!!

The Desert Rats
This is a fine WWII drama with plenty of action. Mason and Burton's acting is surpurb. Burton is the British commando who becomes obsessed with stopping Rommel in north Africa. Mason plays the role of Rommel as if he was made for it. This is based on the true account of the British army prevailing over overwhelming odds at a high cost. WWII buffs will like this film.
The Movie Nut in Idaho

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