The Desert Rats is a 1953 American black-and-white war film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Robert L. Jacks, directed by Robert Wise, that stars Richard Burton, James Mason, and Robert Newton. The film's storyline concerns the Siege of Tobruk in 1941 North Africa during World War II.
Plot
German field marshal Erwin Rommel (James Mason) and his Afrika Korps have driven the British Army back toward Egypt and the vital Suez Canal. Standing in Rommel's way is Tobruk, a constant threat to his supply lines. The 9th Australian Division are charged with holding the port. The defending Allied general (Robert Douglas) chooses British Captain MacRoberts (Richard Burton) to take command of newly arrived, untried Australian troops. The no-nonsense MacRoberts, disliked by the undisciplined Australians, is surprised to see in their ranks his former schoolmaster, Tom Bartlett (Robert Newton), an alcoholic dismissed from education for drunkenness. MacRoberts offers to transfer him to a safer billet, but Bartlett refuses. The troops are sent directly into the front lines, where they dig in and prepare for Rommel's assault. Under cover of a sandstorm, Rommel's tanks and infantry attack where the Allied general predicted and head directly at MacRoberts' men. But the Germans are beaten back. As a result, MacRoberts is made lieutenant colonel and battalion commander.
It is later decided to send out small commando raids every night, exacting a toll on Nazi positions. But during a successful raid on a Nazi ammunition dump, MacRoberts is wounded and captured. While being treated by a German doctor, he encounters Rommel, who has been shot by a strafing Spitfire. Although he is respectful, MacRoberts points out to the field marshal that Tobruk is a thorn in his side. Rommel, amused by his brashness, orders he be treated well. Later, MacRoberts escapes and makes his way back to Allied lines. The siege of Tobruk carries on for months. As a result, MacRoberts fears his men are becoming weary and will need to be relieved. After constant attacks and shelling by the Germans, MacRoberts believes they can take no more. Surprisingly, the self-admitted coward, Bartlett, begs him to hang on. To MacRoberts' surprise, the rest of his men refuse to abandon their positions. Eventually, the Australians hear bagpipes announcing the arrival of a relief column. After a hard-fought 242 days, the Allies have retained Tobruk.
Cast
Richard Burton as Captain "Tammy" MacRoberts
James Mason as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Robert Newton as Tom Bartlett
Robert Douglas as the General
Torin Thatcher as Colonel Barney White
Chips Rafferty as Sergeant "Blue" Smith
Charles "Bud" Tingwell as Lieutenant Harry Carstairs (as Charles Tingwell) Charles Davis as Pete Ben Wright as Mick Michael Pate as Captain Currie (uncredited) John Alderson as Australian Corporal (uncredited)
History
The film is based on the Australian 9th Division, who were charged with the defence of Tobruk under the command of General Leslie Morshead. Hoping to survive against overwhelming odds for two months, the garrison held off the best of Rommel's Afrika Korps for over eight months. Morshead was a distinguished Australian citizen-soldier, but is depicted in the film as the anonymous "General" and played by English actor Robert Douglas.
Production
Development
The film was a quasi-sequel to The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951), which had been successful critically and commercially, particularly in England. It was, reportedly, partly made to portray a less likeable General Rommel, after criticism that film had been too friendly to the Germans. Rommel is again played by James Mason, but this time he usually speaks in German and is not sympathetic. The title The Desert Rats was selected to refer to the earlier title The Desert Fox. Mason wore Rommel's real scarf in the film, which had been given to him by the general's widow.
In October 1951 Fox announced that Robert L. Jacks would produce and Sam Fuller, who saw active duty in World War II and who had just made Fixed Bayonets for Fox, would direct. The film was based on a book, The Siege of Tobruk by Gregory Rogers, and filming was to start in January 1952. Zanuck said research revealed a few Americans were involved in the siege but none appeared in the final film.
Filming was delayed and Fuller dropped out to work on other films. In July 1952 Fox announced that filming would take place in September and the three leads would be played by Michael Rennie, Robert Newton and James Robertson Justice. (Rennie and Newton had just made Les Misérables together).