The Desert Rats
The Desert Rats is a 1953 American black-and-white war film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Robert L. Jacks, directed by Robert Wise, that stars Richard Burton, James Mason, and Robert Newton. The film's storyline concerns the Siege of Tobruk in North Africa during World War II.
Plot
During mid-April 1941 in North Africa, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (James Mason) and his Afrika Korps have driven the British Army into headlong retreat toward Egypt and the vital Suez Canal. Standing in Rommel's way is Tobruk, a constant threat to his supply lines. The 9th Australian Division are charged with holding the port for two months, at which time they are to be relieved.
More details
| author | Richard Murphy |
|---|---|
| contentLocation | Libya |
| director | Robert Wise |
| editor | Barbara McLean |
| events | World War II |
| keywords | 9th australian division afrika korps air raid allied line bagpipe british army capture commando commando raid company drink dust storm egypt erwin rommel north africa sandstorm spitfire suez canal supermarine spitfire tobruk wound |
| musicBy | Leigh Harline |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay |
| producer | Robert L. Jacks |
| publisher | 20th Century Fox |
| recordedAt | California San Diego |
| theme | war |