Rent Desert Rats (1953)

Desert War. - Desert Rats review by Steve

Hollywood salute to the 9th Australian Division which resisted Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps at Tobruk for 231 days. Maybe it offends the Aussies by giving them a British leader (Richard Burton). And the Brits by overlooking their contribution entirely. It doesn't take much from the actual events, but it's a sincere tribute.

And Robert Wise creates a fairly realistic picture of the war in North Africa in 1941, which effectively blends in newsreel footage. There is an impression of the immense bravery and sacrifices of the veterans. Though it examines the burden of leadership in more detail than the miseries of the men burrowed into the sand.

James Mason reprises his role as Rommel from The Desert Fox (1951). Burton is fine as an inexperienced officer, who is demanding yet sensitive. But it's far more interesting to see the Australian support cast, including Chips Rafferty and Charles Tingwell as the boisterous but determined and loyal recruits.

We hear Waltzing Mathilda so many times the bagpipes of the relieving army are doubly welcome. Aside from the usual studio liberties, the main drawback is Robert Newton's horrible performance/role as a cowardly, drunken buffoon. Inevitably he redeems himself. It's not one of Wise's best genre pictures but it stands up against the British war films of the '50s.