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James Mason delivers a strong performance in this fascinating portrait of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. In the early 1940s, Rommel's juggernaut Afrika Korps dominated North Africa. But as the tide turned and he came to the painful realisation that his Fuhrer, to whom he hd sworn allegiance, was destroying Germany, his ingrained sense of duty pushed him into a conspiracy against Hitler. Co-starring Jessica Tandy as Rommel's wife and Cedric Hardwicke as another anti-Hitler conspirator, The Desert Fox is an intimate look at one of the most respected military tacticians of modern times.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This merits 4.5 stars. A very well made portrayal of Rommel.
Briefly covering his initial genius as a battlefield commander, and later when the war had turned, his gradual dissaffection with Hitler.
From what I have read it is not entirely accurate, but it gives a good impression of the man, and in the leading role James Mason is, as always, magnificent. He makes no attempt to do a fake German accent, and it would be unneccessary. At the end Mason (who knows whether this is true or not) shows Rommel to be a dignified and courageous man. Particularly good in a supporting role is Leo G Carroll as Field Marshall Rundstedt who's own disanchantment is a turning point in the film.
The film was made only 6 years after the end of WW2, but it is a fact that even Churchill praised Rommell. Whether this would have happened if he had remained completely loyal to Hitler is open to debate. Nevertheless this remains an engrossing film.
Briefly covering his initial genius as a battlefield commander, and later when the war had turned, his gradual dissaffection with Hitler.
From what I have read it is not entirely accurate, but it gives a good impression of the man, and in the leading role James Mason is, as always, magnificent. He makes no attempt to do a fake German accent, and it would be unneccessary. At the end Mason (who knows whether this is true or not) shows Rommel to be a dignified and courageous man. Particularly good in a supporting role is Leo G Carroll as Field Marshall Rundstedt who's own disanchantment is a turning point in the film.
The film was made only 6 years after the end of WW2, but it is a fact that even Churchill praised Rommell. Whether this would have happened if he had remained completely loyal to Hitler is open to debate. Nevertheless this remains an engrossing film.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
If I may remind you, sir, here in the field, these men are yours, not his.
23 Jan 2011
By Spike Owen
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Out of 20th Century Fox, The Desert Fox is directed by Henry Hathaway and adapted for the screen by Nunnally Johnson (also producing) from the biography of Erwin Rommel written by Brigadier Desmond Young. It stars James Mason as Rommel who in turn is supported by Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Luther Adler, Everett Sloane, Leo Carroll, George Macready & Richard Boone.
Possibly the first mainstream film to boldly humanise a German military leader, The Desert Fox is propelled by a mesmerising performance by Mason and backed up by Johnson's literate script. It condenses Young's biography into just an hour and half of film, but in that relatively short running time the makers have done enough to give decent insight into a man who the opposition had much respect for. The plot basically takes us on Rommel's journey from victories in North Africa, where he is loyally followed by the Afrika Korps, to his defeat at El Alamein (infuriating Hitler by disregarding orders), to French coastal defences, his role in the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler and his subsequent death by military command. Shot in a sort of semi-documentary style by Hathaway, with stock war footage flitting in and out of the film, it's credit to Hathaway that the direction is pacey and doesn't get bogged down by the necessary long passages of dialogue exchanges. The support cast all do fine work, with Adler's cameo as the Fuhrer particularly memorable, while the overriding satisfaction comes from finally seeing a Hollywood production capable of an even handed and sympathetic portrait of a opposition leader.
Good adult cinema. 7/10
Out of 20th Century Fox, The Desert Fox is directed by Henry Hathaway and adapted for the screen by Nunnally Johnson (also producing) from the biography of Erwin Rommel written by Brigadier Desmond Young. It stars James Mason as Rommel who in turn is supported by Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Luther Adler, Everett Sloane, Leo Carroll, George Macready & Richard Boone.
Possibly the first mainstream film to boldly humanise a German military leader, The Desert Fox is propelled by a mesmerising performance by Mason and backed up by Johnson's literate script. It condenses Young's biography into just an hour and half of film, but in that relatively short running time the makers have done enough to give decent insight into a man who the opposition had much respect for. The plot basically takes us on Rommel's journey from victories in North Africa, where he is loyally followed by the Afrika Korps, to his defeat at El Alamein (infuriating Hitler by disregarding orders), to French coastal defences, his role in the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler and his subsequent death by military command. Shot in a sort of semi-documentary style by Hathaway, with stock war footage flitting in and out of the film, it's credit to Hathaway that the direction is pacey and doesn't get bogged down by the necessary long passages of dialogue exchanges. The support cast all do fine work, with Adler's cameo as the Fuhrer particularly memorable, while the overriding satisfaction comes from finally seeing a Hollywood production capable of an even handed and sympathetic portrait of a opposition leader.
Good adult cinema. 7/10
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Desert Fox
A sympathetic portrayal of a leading Nazi, made in the 1950's?
It would require a brave studio, a brilliant script and a serious leading actor.
Fortunately, this thoughtful, interesting biopic has them all.
The first time we see the main character, he is a good distance away, deliberately
so, in the North African desert. Is this not the beauty of great acting? Even with this
distance shot, it is immediately apparent, simply from stance. `That's Rommel'.
Not James Mason, you understand, but Rommel.
We follow the Field Marshall from battle to his home, from the office of his supreme leader to the shores of France. Finally, to his suicide - it's that or face trial by Hitler for treason. And he is sympathetically played. There are some interesting super imposition shots of the actors over genuine footage, and of course, sets, props costumes etc are all totally authentic. The film looks and sounds great.
Jessica Tandy is totally convincing as Mrs Rommel and the entire cast is high quality.
There are even some laughs.
Particularly considering when this film was made, it is human, occasionally charming and
a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
`No petrol at all?'
`Not a pint!'
A sympathetic portrayal of a leading Nazi, made in the 1950's?
It would require a brave studio, a brilliant script and a serious leading actor.
Fortunately, this thoughtful, interesting biopic has them all.
The first time we see the main character, he is a good distance away, deliberately
so, in the North African desert. Is this not the beauty of great acting? Even with this
distance shot, it is immediately apparent, simply from stance. `That's Rommel'.
Not James Mason, you understand, but Rommel.
We follow the Field Marshall from battle to his home, from the office of his supreme leader to the shores of France. Finally, to his suicide - it's that or face trial by Hitler for treason. And he is sympathetically played. There are some interesting super imposition shots of the actors over genuine footage, and of course, sets, props costumes etc are all totally authentic. The film looks and sounds great.
Jessica Tandy is totally convincing as Mrs Rommel and the entire cast is high quality.
There are even some laughs.
Particularly considering when this film was made, it is human, occasionally charming and
a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
`No petrol at all?'
`Not a pint!'
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good old movie
Perhaps a very rose tinted view of Rommel but none the less and entertaining film shot in B&W which has a good cast and entertains. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Desert Fox
This film is excellent, James Mason at his best as usual, it follows the events leading up to his untimely death. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by Gillian Steer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A film about Patton's opposite number
Even posed against each other, it is said General Patton always had respect for Rommel; even though he was his enemy. Read more
Published on 4 May 2001
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