Starring: James Mason, Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Luther Adler, Everett Sloane Directed By: Henry Hathaway Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: May 20, 2003 Running Time: 88 minutes Theatrical Release Date: October 17, 1951
Description: James Mason delivers a strong performance in this fascinating portrait of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. In the early 1940's, Rommel's juggernaut Afrika Korps dominated North Africa. But as the tide turned and he came to the painful realization 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.
Amazon.com: What a difference a few years can make. The Desert Fox, released six years after the end of World War II, is a solemnly respectful tribute to Erwin Rommel, Germany's most celebrated military genius. James Mason's portrayal of this gallant warrior became a highlight of his career iconography. The film itself is oddly disjointed: a precredit commando raid to liquidate Rommel is followed by a flashback to the field-marshal's lightning successes commanding the Afrika Korps—-a compressed account via documentary footage and copious narration (spoken by Michael Rennie, who also dubs Desmond Young, the Rommel biographer and onetime British POW appearing briefly as himself). The dramatic core is Rommel's growing disenchantment with Hitler (Luther Adler), his involvement in the plot to assassinate der Führer, and his subsequent martyrdom. Mason's Rommel returned two years later for a flamboyant, mostly German-speaking cameo in The Desert Rats, a prequel focusing on the battle for Tobruk. --Richard T. Jameson
Trash After being amazed at "The Battle of Brittain" DVD, I stupidly got a bunch of war movies from somewhere around the sixties. "The Longest Day" was also phenominal. Some others were "OK" This movie was the bottom of the barrel. Take note! "ALL" of the war movies have good ratings. Buyer beware!
The Desert Fox This is a great movie to add to your 'War Movie' collection. A presentation of the war from the German side. A glimpse into Hitler's true character.
An outdated look at the Field Marshall's descent For those unaware (just in case), Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was one of the most successful General Officers in the German Army during World War II, and a favorite of Hitler. He was a very successful junior officer during World War I while fighting in France and was again instrumental in France's fall during the Second World War. Though he was a German celebrity due to his North Africa accomplishments, he fell from Hitler's favor as the Field Marshall's North Afrika Korp suffered reverses. Eventually Rommel's obedience to Hitler's command, unknown to Hitler, became questionable.
The film focuses exclusively on Rommel's gradual dissent. The dialog has a few bits of wit thrown in and examines the conundrum of the General officer in regards to duty versus moral responsibility. Should he strictly follow orders that violate his better judgement as a Commander and also a Citizen. In particular the film displays conversations between Rommel and his wife, fellow officers, and close friend, the Doctor. The film begins with a Commando raid action sequence that is laughable in terms of tactical validity and really sets a bad tone for the film. Commandos dart from room to room spraying rounds from their automatic weapons at German Soldiers who run indiscriminately towards the firefight. Other times, a Commando fires a burst, turns his back to the enemy, and runs away with no regard to his pursuers, until shot in the back. Fortunately, the film does not repeat similar action scenes, but occasionally throws in a highlight of actual War footage to tie the chronological story together. However, these scenes are fairly tedious since there is no powerful soundtrack or video content involved. I was happy when the film returned to dialog, which represents the lion's share of the movie. Most scenes, which would appear natural on a Broadway stage, show Rommel and the other characters expressing their displeasure with Hitler's meddling in the arena of strategic and tactical battlefield command.
In no way is the film suspenseful or dramatic. Dialog is generally "canned." With Victorianesque accent, Rommel speaks to his wife, "Darling, I love you." His wife replies, "Yes Darling, but not now." "Darling, I must speak to Hitler" and on an on in this uncomely, non-Germanic tone. Historically, the movie is shallow. From a biographical standpoint, the movie is extremely brief. Action is ridiculous and virtually nonexistent. In a few brief moments, the viewer is invited to ponder Rommel's position, such as the final conversation with the Doctor. These moments, accompanied by views of Rommel's black, leather trench coat, tend to salvage the movie.
I believe there is a distinctly, small number of War fans that will enjoy this movie. Those that have a nostalgia for the old black and white picture, paralleled by good and bad characters, and sequenced with a tightly woven, transparent story will enjoy "The Desert Fox." I would recommend reading one or two of the prominent books on Rommel. This movie is in no way essential to understanding or enjoying the knowledge of one the modern era's greatest Commanders.
The legend from the desert fox cames alive again Excellent perfomance from a part from the past World War II, Rommel was allways an interesting man
The Fox, After The Desert... 1951's "The Desert Fox" stars James Mason in what became a signature role as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, justly famed and charismatic Commander of the German Afrika Corps during World War II. Oddly, the movie isn't about Rommel's exploits in North Africa. Instead, the dramatic thread is Rommel's growing disenchantment with Adolf Hitler as the tide of the war begins to turn against Germany in 1942.
The movie opens with an unsuccessful British commando raid on Rommel's headquarters in North Africa. An ailing Rommel then makes his appearence, returning from Europe to rally his troops as the Battle of Al Alamyn begins. Rommel's tactical wizardry is not enough to defeat an overwhelming British force; when Rommel requests permission to save his army by withdrawing, Hitler directs him to fight to the death. Thus begins the erosion of Rommel's confidence in Hitler.
By 1943, Rommel has been assigned to bolster German defenses in France against a threatened Allied invasion. He has also been quietly approached by a conspiracy that intends to remove Hitler and sue for peace. Rommel, a duty-bound soldier, is horrified by the thought of treason. However, he fails to wrest useful military guidance from a raving Hitler as the Allied invasion of France gets underway in June 1944. The reluctant Rommel then makes a fateful commitment to the conspiracy.
Rommel is seriously injured in Normandy and is in hospital when a bomb wrecks Hitler's headquarters but fails to kill Hitler. Hitler's revenge is swift and brutal. In the dramatic climax of the movie, Rommel's involvement in the plot becomes known and he is confronted with a terrible choice.
In 1951, the details of Rommel's fate were not widely known. The movie very nicely mixes live action and documentary footage to tell the real story with minimal dramatization. Mason is superb as Rommel; a young Jessica Tandy plays his supportive wife. Leo Carroll has a nice turn as aging Field Marshal Von Rundstadt, Rommel's nominal boss in Normandy, who is fired for defying Hitler. Luther Adler is frightening as the slowly deteriorating Hitler.
This movie is highly recommended to fans of the World War II genre. Those interested in a longer look at the Desert War should seek out 1953's "The Desert Rats" in which Mason reprises his role as Rommel for the siege of Tobruk.
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