| | | Fox War Classics.
Features: DVD
This exciting film stars Richard Burton in the saga of the courageous men who held off notorious German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, despite being hopelessly outnumbered. The year is 1941, and all that stands between Rommel and the Suez Canal is the fortress of Tobruk, which is manned only by a small Australian battalion whom Capt. MacRoberts (Burton) must whip into shape--fast! James Mason co-stars in a stunning portrayal as Rommel in this stirring, action-packed story of the World War II heroes known as The Desert Rats.
"...good lead performances." Barrie Maxwell, DVD Verdict
Editor's Note
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.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono | | Audio: English Dolby Digital Stereo | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Theatrical Trailers |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 5/21/2002 |
| Running Time: 88 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1953 | | Catalog ID: 2004190 | | UPC: 00024543041900 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English | | Video: B&W |
Aspect Ratio | | Standard 1.33:1 [4:3] |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1954) | | | Richard Murphy, Nominee, Best Writing, Story And Screenplay |
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| | Professional Reviews | Ozus' World Movie Reviews 7 of 10
Wise's lively war drama has much Burton and only a cameo by Mason as Rommel, revisiting his role in The Desert Fox. It looks just like many other war films that salute the glories of war and tip their helmet to the men of courage, but is easier to handle than most because of the two luminaries Burton and Mason around to recite their dialogue with such skill and enthusiasm. - Dennis Schwartz
DVD Talk 8 of 10
The Desert Rats is a tightly focused World War II film, illustrating the story of Tobruk and its defense. It doesn't have a particularly extensive plot, being more a series of incidents occurring during the defense of Tobruk; what brings it to life is that the film is a vivid and largely accurate representation of this important portion of the war...For those who are specifically interested in World War II history, The Desert Rats is a must-see. Taken out of context, just as a movie, the overall good craftsmanship holds it together as an entertaining look at courage under pressure, and in that sense it's worth seeing for any viewer. - Holly E. Ordway
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