Ian (Flash Review)I popped this film on as Rommel is one of the few names I actually know from WWII and a non-American at that. It is the war from Rommel's perspective and talks about how great a tactician he was and how he'd follow the rules of war to the letter. I never really knew he had a part in the assassination attempt on Hitler. A scene more famously known from the movie Vallkarie with Tom Cruise. The film made you feel for him and how his end….was forced. Heavy. Moderately interesting if the topic peeks your interest. It also conveniently tap dances around the Holocaust. Too soon maybe in the early 50's….?

Leofwine_draca THE DESERT FOX is a sympathetic biopic of Rommel, one of the great Nazi generals, who led his troops to victory in North Africa before becoming embroiled in one of the most notorious conspiracies of the Second World War. What's apparent from the outset is just how well made this movie is: it's an exemplary piece of story-telling, crisply shot, fast-paced, and with real heart behind it.Much of the film's success is down to James Mason in the titular role. Mason was always a consummate professional and no more so than here; his portrayal of a conflicted figure is an entirely sympathetic one and it's hard to imagine another actor doing so well in the role. The supporting cast is fine, too, but it's Henry Hathaway's direction which really shines. He brings a freshness and vitality even to those moments which are well-known to history, and his film is utterly compelling as a result. Great stuff indeed.

gordonl56 THE DESERT FOX – 1951 James Mason is really top flight in this film about the WW Two German commander, Erwin Rommel. A very watchable film considering how little actual combat scenes are in the production.Most of the film deals with his growing dislike of Hitler and his mob. It suggests that Rommel was involved in the plot to kill Hitler. From what I've read on the subject, there seems to be little solid proof either way. The failure of the assassination, lead to the death of several thousand of those involved. Rommel was forced to commit suicide in order to save his family.Mason keeps this one rolling with help from Cedric Hardwicke and a great bit by Luther Adler as Adolf Hitler. Veteran director Henry (True Grit) Hathaway handles the story with a nice even pace.It is really about time that someone made a film about his World War one battles that won him the Blue Max. Or something on his dash to the coast in the Battle of France as well as his early battles with the Afrika Korps.Having said that, don't let that stop you from watching this one. It is a film well worth the time investment.

lazyaceuk With all of the modern re-makes doing the rounds at the moment it is very strange that this story has not been re-worked in any form because the story, as told, is a mess.James Mason, always stoic in the majority of his roles, plays the role of Rommel well enough but he is let down by Hollywood contract players of the time who make no secret of the nation of birth rather the nation of the their roles. Kansas was obviously a suburb of the Rhine.Of most amusement to me was Luther Adler who seems confused as to whether he is meant to playing Hitler or Mussolini.The pacing of the film is also very disjointed. I have no idea as to the whether this is the fault of Nunnally Johnson, the writer, or Henry Hathaway, the director, but as I have seen and enjoyed many of the latters films, I can also assume that the sum of the parts just didn't add up.There is some good stock/news footage within the film, but unfortunately this cannot make up for a poor effort by most of those who have put there names to this highly unassuming experience.