The Desert Fox
Fox War Classics
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 realization that his Fuhrer, to whom he had 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 tacticisms of modern times.
Member Reviews
Love old war movie - cassiopee216
As one very interested in the history of World War 2, I don't know how I missed seeing this before. I'm certainly not an authority on Rommel, but as far as I could tell (with a few exceptions, such as the DC3/C-47 made up to look like a German transport and the portrayal of von Runstedt as being more competent than is generally credited) it seemed to be historically accurate. This seemed to be one of the better docu-dramas, a type with a not-very-illustrious tradition. What I found particularly interesting was how a movie made 50 years ago could reflect what are considered to be "new" views today. I'm referring particularly to the statement that Hitler was seeking his own destruction (presented as new in the recent Ian Kearshaw biography "Nemesis") and the lack of total control by the Nazis over what Germans thought, said and where they went (also presented as a "new" view). This reflects well on Desmond Young's research and the film makers adherence to it.Not A Fully Reliable Portrayal - revsdd
This portrays a soldier's great dilemma - balancing loyalty to the state and obedience to orders with the higher calling of loyalty to what's right and just. Erwin Rommel was one of the great German generals of World War II (a hero in Germany and respected by the Allies.) He also became involved with the conspiracy against Hitler. The movie shows us some of that development, beginning with his anger at Hitler's orders that the Afrika Korps stand and fight to the last man in Africa rather than withdrawing to fight another day. According to the movie, it was this "stand and fight to the last man" attitude of Der Fuhrer that pushed Rommel over the edge. That makes Rommel consistent with most of the leaders of the "resistance" (such as it was) to Hitler. The opposition wasn't political; it wasn't based on a rejection of Nazi ideology or distaste for Hitler's racial policies - it was based simply on the belief that Hitler was leading Germany to defeat in the war. That's the overarching sentiment portrayed here. So perhaps Rommel wasn't the sympathetic character this movie makes him out to be - maybe he just had the smarts to realize that Germany was fighting a losing war. There's also no mention of his performance during the German invasion of France in 1940, in which Rommel - as a panzer commander - received some German criticism for both his tactics and his tendency to exaggerate his achievements.
James Mason was very good as Rommel. His portrayal was believable, although I wish there had been more exploration of where Rommel came from rather than simply starting us abruptly in Africa. Made only 6 years after the end of the war, the movie is courageous in presenting a German general (even one unsympathetic to Hitler) in such a sympathetic light. This to structured particularly well. There was too much narration, which detracted from any sense of flow. It's an interesting movie, but doesn't seem to completely capture the man it portrays.
Member Reviews
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Love old war movie - cassiopee216
As one very interested in the history of World War 2, I don't know how I missed seeing this before. I'm certainly not an authority on Rommel, but as far as I could tell (with a few exceptions, such as the DC3/C-47 made up to look like a German transport and ...Not A Fully Reliable Portrayal - revsdd
This portrays a soldier's great dilemma - balancing loyalty to the state and obedience to orders with the higher calling of loyalty to what's right and just. Erwin Rommel was one of the great German generals of World War II (a hero in Germany and respected ...