THE DESERT FOX

US, 1951, 88 minutes, Black and white.
James Mason, Jessica Tandy, Cedric Hardwicke, Everett Sloane, Luther Adler, George Macready, Leo G. Carroll.
Directed by Henry Hathaway.

A striking film of the early fifties. Written and produced by the prolific writer-producer Nunnally Johnson, it was directed by veteran Henry Hathaway, who had excelled in many genres of film-making in the thirties and forties. At the time he had been involved in a number of semi-documentary thrillers like 'The House on 92nd Street', '13 Rue Madeleine' and 'Call Northside 777'.

It seems strange that a tribute to one of the major German generals like Fie1d Marshal Irwin Rommel should have been made so early after the war. However, the tone the film takes is that he saw through Hitler and, therefore, of course, had similar sentiments to the Allies fighting against Nazi Germany. The film is based on the biography by Brigadier Desmond Young who also appears in the film. It does not highlight Rommel's strategy during the war. For this it uses scenes from the documentary 'Desert Victory'. It rather concentrates on Rommel as a person and in his gradually being drawn into plots against Hitler. James Mason who had had a successful career in England moved to Holly wood at the time and has had a long successful career since. He is very persuasive as Rommel and repeated this role in Robert Wise's 'The Desert Rats'.

The film also boasts a very fine cast of strong supporting actors and actresses including Jessica Tandy as Rommel's wife, Sir Cedric Hardwicke as the Mayor of Stuttgart and Leo G. Carroll as General von Runstedt. Luther Adler impersonates Hitler. The film was so popular that 20th Century Fox decided on a kind of sequel - in portraying the Britons and Australian in the war in the African Desert especially in the siege of Tobruk in 1942. Robert Wise, a popular director of the time, and later to move into more serious films and Oscar-winning triumphs with 'West Side Story' and 'The Sound of Music' directed in a brisk economic way. The film was one of Richard Burton's Hollywood films. Robert Newton joins him as well as Australians Chips Rafferty and Charles Tingwell. James Mason reprises his role as Rommel. These are two quite good examples of war films and tributes which were so popular in the fifties.

1. An interesting and enjoyable film? As a tribute to Rommel? Its impact in the early fifties after the war? Knowledge of the war and Nazis in later decades, admiration for Rommel? The impact of this tribute in later times?

2. The importance on its first release of the perspective of World War II? Audience reaction to Hitler, the Nazis. the war itself? An American film paying tribute to a German general? The implications about him as a person, the tributes from Churchill and others? The film's attitude towards him as going against Hitler - even to the extent of being involved in an assassination plot? The implications of this judgment about tyrants and the way that they should be dealt with, Rommel heroism?

3. The impact of Rommel in his day, on the British, Americans, Australians? The glory of the German campaign? his skill as a general? The attitude of the victors of World War II assessing a general? The film's anti-Nazi tone? how fair was it in presenting Rommel as a person? The choice of James Mason and talented character actors to portray the Germans?

4. The impact of the film especially in its brevity? The importance of the prologue and the emphasis on action, commando raids, the waging of the war, the personal focus on Rommel as a man who was important, could escape death? The transition to the study of Rommel an a person, the background of the war, the political intrigues against Hitler? The movement in time of the structure of the film especially with Desmond Young's post-war investigation and his comments on Rommel and his reminiscences? Black and white photography, the style of the rousing score?

5. The significance of the title as a tribute and a comment on Rommel? His reputation during the forties, his disappearance before the end of the war, Churchill's tribute? Rommel as a person?

6. The impact of Rommel and his status - the introduction with British command trying to dispel the aura around Rommel? The attempt to kill him as portrayed in the prologue, his importance in the desert and his treatment of people? The fact that he vas absent in hospital during the defeats? That he escaped injury and death in the raid on Desert Fox the car? The irony that he should reach his downfall through Hitler's intervention?

7. The introduction of Desmond Young and his explanation of his research into Rommel? The visualizing of the sequence where he encountered Rommel - only at a distance? What motivated his investigation and pursuit of the truth about Rommel? How was this important for the comments on the character during the film?

8. The sequences of the African war and their authenticity? The presentation of Rommel's strategy - sufficient for the impact of Rommel as a great general? His scrupulosity about the rules of war, his treatment of his men? His work with his aides and taking, their advice? The turning of the war against him and lack of support from Germany? The importance of Hitler's telegram and the stand or die tone? The background of his illnesses? The importance of his decision to go against Hitler and the repercussions? Audience sympathy for this?

9. The brief presentation of Rommel and the European war? His nonadvancement especially after the resignation of Von Runstedt?

10. The portrait of Hitler - the atmosphere of the late forties, how accurate a portrait? His ranting, people's commenting on him as the Little Corporal and his madness? His advisers and their ambitions? Their being characterized as a gang of crooks? Hitler's consultation of Rommel and his abuse of him, his explanation of his strategy for example the bombing of London? The inevitability of people plotting against him? His presence at the plot, his escape?

11. The importance of the Mayor of Stuttgart and his visit? His putting ideas into Rommel's head? The fact that he was under suspicion, was watched, the dramatics of his eluding his pursuit in the train? His second visit and his persisting in his points with Rommel? Rommel's reaction and non-committal answers? How well did the film explain Rommel's reasons for change - the interview with Hitler, the discussion with Von Runstedt and his support, the number of people involved? The only way to save Germany?

12. Rommel's commitment to the plot, the visualizing of the attempt and its failure? The moral judgment on such an assassination attempt?

13. The repercussions for Rommel after his injuries in the car, the threats and the way that the visiting general handled this? Rommel's defiance, the need for a court case his being blackmailed by the threats to his family? The dignity of his farewell, his death?

14. The noble presentation of his wife and her tenderness and support, son and his admiration for his father, the various aides? Rommel's military aides, the generals? The Nazis? How accurate a portrait of these people and their involvement in the issues of the time?

15. How much insight into Rommel as a man, as a general, as a German who did not want to be involved in politics?