The Desert Fox
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Movie Reviews of The Desert Fox
Movie Review: The Fox Roams Africa & Europe.
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Desert Fox" (1951) is a very special movie. It was the first American or British film, up to my knowledge, that focuses on a German military with a benevolent point of view.
The story centers on Marshall Rommel's two last years of life.
The broad background for the film is as follows:
It starts when WWII was nearing the turning point and German armies were starting to get stalled.
Next step the German Generals start to receive, whatsoever the circumstance, Hitler's invariable order: stand and die.
Next step a significant number of Generals will rejoin a pre-war conspirator's nucleus in order to get Hitler deposed or physically eliminated.
Next step the Generals try to kill Hitler and fail.
Next step Hitler retaliates imprisoning and killing over a thousand suspects.
Rommel is sick and hospitalized when first approached by Dr. Strolin insinuating him to join an anti-Hitler movement. Rommel refuses strongly to do such.
After his final African defeat, he is put in command of the Atlantic Wall defenses with Allied disembarkment in the immediate future.
Following D-Day Rommel obtains an audience with Hitler and exit it convinced that the Fuehrer is out of his mind, deciding to join the assassination plan.
Rommel is wounded by an Allied plane three days before the failure of the killing attempt. In the aftermath he is denounced as a conspirator and obliged to commit suicide.
James Mason impersonates Rommel with conviction and flair. In the other hand Luther Adler's Hitler is almost cartoonish; at least it seems so after seeing Bruno Ganz characterization.
B & W cinematography in charge of Norbert Brodine is very good.
A good biopic movie specially recommended for viewers interested in the period and for general public too.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Movie Review: Mason makes this film
Summary: 4 Stars
This film biography of General Erwin Rommel is made memorable by the outstanding performance of James Mason in the title role. Mason is the perfect German general and this was his first major blockbuster in Hollywood after a string of disappointing movies after he left his native Britain. There are many historical inaccuracies in this film and it certainly isn't good history, but it's very enjoyable, particularly the latter sections of the movie.The film drags quite a bit at the beginning and is curiously disjointed in sections. The battle sequences are rather poorly done and amateurish, but the dialogue between Rommel and his subordinates is immediate and crisp. The scenes with his wife and son are also interesting and well-scripted. The last thirty minutes of the movie are undoubtedly the best portions, where the German general staff informs Rommel he must die. Rommel's farewell to his family is poignantly written and memorable. The film is worth watching because of Mason's superb performance. Don't expect truthful history, but be engrossed by a great actor.
Movie Review: The Desert Fox and The Desert Rats - really a set!
Summary: 4 Stars
Both these movies have James Mason playing the part of General Erwin Rommell. The Desert Rats is the story of Australian Infantry under the command of a British Officer (Richard Burton)who although out numbered and out gunned delay the advance of Rommell's Afrika Corps outside of Tobruk until the British Relief Column arrives. Almost like a sequel to The Desert Rats is the story of The Desert Fox. This story is told through the eyes of an ex-British Officer who after the war tries to find out exactly how and why Rommell died under the Nazi Regime. The story reveals how an unwell Rommell, recently returned from the middle east campaign is invited to join the plot to kill Hitler. It shows Rommell's battle of conscience over his loyalty to an insane leader and his knowledge of the plot for that leader's assassination. Although he will not support the plot to kill Hitler, Rommell will not turn the conspirators in either - a decision that would cost him his life. I strongly recommend the purchase of both these movies.
Movie Review: Another classic performance from Mason
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Movie Review: A splendid movie and a bravo James Mason performance!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a superb movie dealing with the great German general, Erwin Rommel, dubbed "The Desert Fox." Surprisingly, the movie deals rather tersely with the famed North African campaign, and instead focuses largely on the period after this time, when Rommel becomes disaffected with Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, and conspires against Hitler. While basically true, this causes the movie to be an incomplete and imperfect portrayal of Rommel.Despite its flaws, this movie is well worth watching and owning. James Mason is very authentic as Rommel. The movie is narrated by Michael Rennie, and this narration significantly adds to the quality of the film. Overall, a fine war film about a great subject which is made even better by the fact that it is true to history, albeit incomplete.