A sequel to the riveting and immensely popular THE DESERT FOX (directed by Henry Hathaway in 1951), THE DESERT RATS is a sweeping evocation of the North Africa campaign during World War II. In this expertly filmed adventure, British commando Captain Tammy MacRoberts (Richard Burton) takes charge of a hopelessly outnumbered but stubbornly defiant 9th Australian division at Tobruk in 1941 in their heroic stand against Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (James Mason, reprising his role from the first film) and his Afrika Corps. Their new leader wastes no time in alienating his men by implying they are inferior, but the Australians prove themselves both plucky and amusing. Among the garrison is Tom Bartlett (Robert Newman), MacRoberts's old English teacher at college who is a lowly volunteer and a raging alcoholic. When MacRoberts leads a commando raid behind enemy lines and is captured, he is taken to a German field hospital tent where he meets the infamous Rommel, the two conversing civilly about war in one of the film's most intriguing scenes. A fascinating and exciting tale, THE DESERT RATS is beautifully photographed, and the interplay between the characters enhances the already interesting, factual story.
James Mason won the National Board of Review Best Actor Award in 1953 for reprising his role as Rommel in the film. He first played the german field marshal in THE DESERT FOX (1951).
This was only the second American film for Welsh actor Richard Burton; his first was MY COUSIN RACHEL (1952).
Director Robert Wise said the film "would be a close second to THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL as my favorite in the Fox period."
The film's authentic look is remarkable, considering it was not shot in the North African desert but in the small town of Borrego Springs, California, just a short drive from Palm Springs.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Stereo - English
Mono - English, Spanish, French
Subtitles - Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1. Theatrical Trailer
2. Fox Flix Trailers
Director of Photography
Lucien Ballard: Cinematographer, RIO GRANDE/THE WILD BUNCH
Production Designer
Lyle Wheeler: Art Director
Production Designer
Addison Hehr: Art Director\1950s-1960s
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