This 1951 film about the controversial second world war German field marshal casts him as more foe than friend of the Führer
Director: Henry Hathaway
Entertainment grade: B+
History grade: B
Erwin Rommel led several German campaigns during the second world war, most notably in north Africa. Late in the war, he was implicated in a plot to kill Adolf Hitler. When it failed, Hitler obliged him to commit suicide.
War
The film begins with Rommel (James Mason)'s defeat by the British, Free French and Americans in north Africa. Nothing is shown of the campaigns that made his name (and his nickname, Desert Fox, the film's ill-fitting title). You're just going to have to take the film's word for it that he was a military genius, respected even by his enemies – though many historians would agree. The staging of El Alamein and, later, D-day is astonishingly lifelike, not least because it is actually real life.
Director: Henry Hathaway
Entertainment grade: B+
History grade: B
Erwin Rommel led several German campaigns during the second world war, most notably in north Africa. Late in the war, he was implicated in a plot to kill Adolf Hitler. When it failed, Hitler obliged him to commit suicide.
War
The film begins with Rommel (James Mason)'s defeat by the British, Free French and Americans in north Africa. Nothing is shown of the campaigns that made his name (and his nickname, Desert Fox, the film's ill-fitting title). You're just going to have to take the film's word for it that he was a military genius, respected even by his enemies – though many historians would agree. The staging of El Alamein and, later, D-day is astonishingly lifelike, not least because it is actually real life.
- 10/6/2011
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
Similar News
“I get to fight Arnold Schwarzenegger”: Kung Fury 2 Star is Heartbroken as Legal Issues Have Doomed the Future of His Much Anticipated Sequel
- 5/8/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Donald Trump Is “A Colossal A**hole,” Jeffrey Katzenberg Says; Hasn’t Yet Reached Out To Taylor Swift To Endorse “Decent” Joe Biden
- 5/6/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
“De Niro disgusts me”: Robert De Niro’s Anti-Trump Comment Has Made Him a Walking Target After What Elon Musk Said About the Whole Situation
- 5/5/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
North By Northwest is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in the UK
- 4/23/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Tom Hiddleston Reveals the Actors Who Inspired His Portrayal of Loki in the MCU
- 4/16/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Forget Lashana Lynch and Angelina Jolie, James Bond Briefly Considered Casting 1 Female Actor as 007 Almost Sixty Years Ago That Could’ve Revolutionized Hollywood
- 4/13/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
Peter Bart: ‘Poor Things’ Oscar Wins Prove Voters’ New-Found Appetite For Dark Horses
- 3/14/2024
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
Don Murray, Oscar-Nommed for His ‘Bus Stop’ Role Opposite Marilyn Monroe, Dies at 94
- 2/2/2024
- by Carmel Dagan
- Variety Film + TV
Don Murray, Oscar-Nominated Star of ‘Bus Stop,’ Dies at 94
- 2/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Buddy Marini, Veteran Asia Executive, Hired as Gm of Warner Bros. Discovery in Japan
- 5/14/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Roger Corman’s Greatest Films: ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ ‘The Masque of the Red Death,’ ‘The Wild Angels,’ and More
- 5/14/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Critic’s Notebook: Monica Sorelle’s Miami-Set Debut, Mountains
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Critic’s Notebook: Monica Sorelle’s Miami-Set Debut, Mountains
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
“How Do I Capture the Storytelling That is Quintessential to South America, and Marry It to the Experience of Living Here in Florida?”: Director Kevin Contento on His Vimeo Staff Pick, From Fish to Moon
- 5/14/2024
- by Monica Uszerowicz
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Edgar Wright in Talks to Direct ‘Barbarella’ Starring Sydney Sweeney
- 5/13/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety - Film News
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $131 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Paramount Tried To Combine Movie Theaters With TV - And It Failed Spectacularly
- 5/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Would Adding ‘Apes’ Character Koba Make Other Movies Better? Social Media Seems to Think So
- 5/14/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Carrie-Anne Moss Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger in Season 2 of FUBAR
- 5/13/2024
- by IMDb News
- IMDb News
Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie Set With Paul Giamatti
- 5/13/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maya Rudolph / Vampire Weekend SNL Roundtable – S49 E19
- 5/14/2024
- by Saturday Night Network
- LateNighter
Boston Rob Says He ‘Easily’ Would’ve Won ‘Deal or No Deal Island’ Without That Penalty
- 5/14/2024
- TV Insider
‘Spacey Unmasked’: Kevin Spacey’s ‘House of Cards’ Abuse Allegations & More Shocking Takeaways From Part 1
- 5/14/2024
- TV Insider