James Mason in Henry Hathaway's "The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel" (1951)
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- čas přidán 16. 05. 2023
- In November 1941 a British commando unit deploys from a submarine off the North African coast. Its mission is to raid the headquarters ofField Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel (James Mason) and assassinate the “Desert Fox”. There are heavy casualties on both sides, but Rommel is not among them. He is recovering from nasal diphtheria in a hospital in Germany.
A phone call from Adolf Hitler (Luther Adler) promptly returns him to his Afrika Korps command, with the British Eighth Army under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (Trevor Ward) poised to counterattack the Axis forces in the Second Battle of El Alamein. Without adequate supplies, weapons, fuel, or men, Rommel is ordered by Hitler to hold fast and fight to the last man. He questions the outrageous directive, initially attributing it to the “clowns“ surrounding Hitler in Berlin, and demands it be re-transmitted again. Receiving the same message, he crumples it with the intention of disregarding the command.
Rommel again falls ill and is returned to Germany, where he is hospitalized. An old family friend, Dr. Karl Strölin (Cedric Hardwicke), Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, visits him to request he join a group of dissidents plotting to overthrow Hitler. Rommel strongly resists.
After his recuperation, Rommel is transferred to Western Europe, where he is placed in charge of completing the Atlantic Wall. After inspection, he realizes its defenses are inadequate to protect against an Allied invasion. He and his superior, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt (Leo G. Carroll), are handicapped by Hitler's astrology-based belief that the real invasion will come at Calais. As a result, the D-Day landings at Normandy are successful, and a broad beachhead is secured. Hitler then compounds his error by refusing to release troops and tanks desperately needed to halt the Allies, and again forbids an orderly retreat to set up a strong defense in depth.
Rommel then risks broaching the topic of a conspiracy against Hitler with von Rundstedt. The older man refuses to commit, but wishes Rommel success with the plot, indicating he expects Rommel to be named his successor within 24 hours.
Immediately after, Rommel is seriously injured when his staff car is strafed by an Allied plane. Once again he spends an extended recuperation at home.
On July 20 Colonel Klaus von Stauffenberg (Eduard Franz) plants a bomb at Hitler's feet during a meeting of the general staff at the Wolf's Lair. It detonates with severe casualties, but Hitler survives. Thousands suspected of complicity in the attack are tracked down and executed.
An official silence surrounds Rommel, but evidence of his secret participation is gathered. Soon after, General Wilhelm Burgdorf is sent by Hitler to charge Rommel with treason, instructed to offer the beloved national hero a choice between sure conviction, destruction of his reputation, and death by garrote, or an immediate but painless suicide (with his passing attributed to cumulative war wounds), along with the promise that his wife and son will be well looked after. The veiled threat to their welfare should Rommel insist on a public trial, cinches his decision.
He bids a stoic farewell to his wife, who promises to explain the choice to their son. Rommel then climbs into a staff car to meet his fate en route to Berlin.
A voiceover of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Jack Moyles) reciting a speech delivered to the House of Commons in praise of Rommel for his chivalry in battle, tactical genius, and courageous stance against Hitler leads to the credits.
A 1951 American biographical war film directed by Henry Hathaway, produced by Nunnally Johnson, screenplay by Nunnally Johnson, based on the book Rommel: The Desert Fox by Brigadier Desmond Young (who served in the British Indian Army in North Africa), cinematography by Norbert Brodine, starring James Mason, Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Everett Sloane, Leo G. Carroll, George Macready, Richard Boone, Eduard Franz, Desmond Young, and Luther Adler, who portrayed Adolf Hitler, was Jewish.
Finnish president and Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim's personal Mercedes-Benz 770, a gift received from Adolf Hitler, was used as a prop car in the film.
This World War II film utilized real black-and-white archival combat footage from the British documentary" Desert Victory" (1943). The black and white format allows large sections of actual documentary war action footage and the like throughout the film.
Rommel's widow, Lucie Marie Rommel (played by Jessica Tandy), acted as a technical consultant and adviser. She lent the production some of her husband's personal artifacts and liaised with Nunnally Johnson. She later also acted as a military consultant on "The Longest Day" (1962), another 20th Century-Fox production.
Rommel opposed the idea of attempting to assassinate Hitler. He believed it would make the Commander-in-Chief a martyr, and also cause a civil war in Germany as the SS would still be in power. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
When a Afrika Korp veteran was asked about James Mason's portrayal of Rommel, he replied "Altogether too polite"
Ha! Thanks for sharing.
I was Born in the early 1970s and James mason playing Rommel was so outstanding my generation grew up with James masons Face as Rommels for the next 40 years! I dont think he has been beaten right up untill today!
💯
To be honest, me, being a German at the age of 60, I just watched this movie for the first time in my life and I am pretty much blown away by it.
The only American movie I have ever watched so far, that tried to be faithful to historic events in regards to Nazi Germany was Tom Cruise's Valkyrie, the subject of which is briefly touched upon in this movie, too.
Having grown up with countless movies with rather stupid Nazi stereotypes I can hardly comprehend that a movie like this was made just about 6 years after the war, paying tribute to actual events while trying to make a single buck at the American box office. I don't know any numbers about that. I just remember the huge success of "The longest day" by the Zanuck Studios and while trying to repeat that success with an equally faithfully story about the attack on Pearl Harbor with "Tora Tora Tora" they went bankrupt over it in the end.
Cudos to James Mason for portraying Erwin Rommel as what he was, a traditional family man and soldier faithful to his country with no ambition in politics, whatsoever.
Welcome.
@eque ….take heart , there are other such films too. Also I find the true stories of post war , to be equally encouraging ….. for instance , how many men on both sides , met after the war and came to be friends. My father himself met the U- boat Commander who sank his ship when he was a serving Officer in the Navy , on convoy duty in the North Atlantic . They became great friends , with great a understanding and indeed with much humour attached ! A great friend , again of my father , served in the RAF , was shot down and suffered terrible burns to his face and body . He survived and incidentally ,he was one of the first member of the Guinea Pig Club , the name given to the badly burned RAF men who were treated by the now legendary doctor /physician , Archie McIndoe , Sir Archibald McIndoe . A history well worth reading , not just for the time but also how this wonderful doctor revolutionised burns treatments . But back to the point , when my father’s friend Sandy , met his “rival” and as an example of the shared humour - he shook his hand and said without any sarcasm or rancour ……”It’s good to finally meet you , I salute your flying skills and I thank you for my great good looks . I may not be fighting you off any longer but I am under constant attack from females wanting to look after me ! And there are many more such stories .All of which go to,prove how ghastly is war and how particularly ghastly was WW2 , in that they were ordinary decent men , under the command of battle orders whilst actually having so much potential friendship in common . So very sad and thus you have nothing to be fearful or worried about. Not ALL Germans were bad , not ALL Germans were maniacal “Nazis”. I wish you and yours , all the very best. Edit to PS , please know or don’t forget that Winston Churchill made a most touching statement in Parliament , honouring Rommel for being exactly that , the honourable Officer and gentleman that he was.
@@alexandradane3672 Dear Alexandra, thanks for your heartfelt comment about your father and a friend of his and their personal experiences.
I have read quite a number of stories and watched videos about former foes eventually meeting and forming great friendships for the rest of their lives. Kinda always brings me to tears as you can feel their emotions while they're just trying to talk about their experiences. Most of them start crying over it themselves. You see them reflect about their attitude at their very young age and how much it changed over time on all of them. Kinda heartbreaking.
I just wasn't aware that there were American movies made back in the day, that even tried to do history and people involved justice on both sides.
And I'm perplexed that people even liked them enough to make a profit at the box office.
I remember an interview about the US premiere of "Das Boot", probably the only great German movie ever.
The movie starts with a text that ends on the note, that out of 40.000 U-Boat seamen, 30.000 didn't make it back home.
And the audience errupts in applause and cheers and whistles.
The director and producer were about to shit their pants by their own account.
When the movie ended, they had a minutes long standing ovation in the theatre.
So even an honest German movie can turn an audience around in just 2 hours, though they've never seen war by themselves.
I sincerely appreciate you coming back to me on the subject.
May your father and his friend rest in peace.
@@Capt.Turner Dear Eqe , I very much appreciate your kind words and I thank you most sincerely. Yes , it is all so interesting and now that I find myself in my 70s , it becomes even more so! I hope we “meet “ again in appraisal of another movie which captures our interested feelings ?
@@alexandradane3672 Dear Alexandra, anytime dear. Got any proposals ?
I don't know how CZcams screwed up my name here. My real name is Mike.
Looking forward and best wishes.
Mason was born on 15 May 1909 in Huddersfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the youngest of three sons of John Mason and Mabel Hattersley, daughter of Joseph Shaw Gaunt.[1][2] A wealthy wool merchant like his father, John Mason travelled often on business, mainly in France and Belgium. Mabel-who was "uncommonly well-educated" and had lived in London to study and begin work as an artist before returning to Yorkshire to care for her father-was "attentive and loving" in raising her sons.[3] The Masons lived in a house in its own grounds on Croft House Lane in Marsh. (It was replaced in the mid-1970s by flats called Arncliffe Court.) A small residential development opposite where the house once stood is now called James Mason Court. Mason was educated at Marlborough College and took a first in architecture at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he became involved in stock theatre companies in his spare time. He had no formal acting training, and initially embarked upon it for fun. wikipedia
Thanks for this information on James Mason..he play the role of German officer so well
The film had the premiere only 6 years after Rommel's death. That makes an impression. And James Mason was incredible as Rommel. This is a must-see.
"James Mason was incredible as Rommel" despite not speaking a word of German? Not really. This film caused rightful outrage in the West because of its much too sympathetic portrayal of a man who helped the Nazis towards their goals.
What a well done movie, and terrific memory.
I can remember watching it late on a Saturday night, me in my PJ’s, squished between my parents on our old couch, a full 10 feet away from our brand new 26 inch color TV, watching an “old” B&W movie. It’s just interesting how much seeing this picture again evokes such powerful, and wonderful, feelings and memories…
Thanks for posting!
Welcome. Thanks for sharing.
You're not the only person with wonderful reminisces😊😊😊
This is the performance James Masons life. His performance transcends the film. Peak acting/ peak performance 🎭
James Mason was a great actor...and his role as Erwin Rommel proves it...An Outstanding Movie "The Desert Fox" glad I have it on DVD
Should always be watched with "The Desert Rats"!
James Mason was a great actor, I'll agree but... I find it ridiculous that all the Germans in this movie sounded just like the British they were fighting against. No, this was not his best role...
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@@Duschbag Then by that logic, all movies set in the time of the Ceasars should have them speaking Latin? Or Biblical epics such as The Ten Commandments should have them speaking Hebrew? Those were the actors that were chosen at the time. If that's your reason for not liking the movie you're welcome to it, but most would find it a somewhat petty one. James Mason, the actor, played the part well and the movie was well written.
He was and still is a hero of mine field Marshall Erwin Rommel name lives on he was a true soldier of the German people was against hitler and co regarding the Jews nazi etc he was a soldier of the German people he was killed for the hitler plot though he didn’t play a role in it he was just in favour of it to surrender the war with the allies with keeping some dignity
James Mason has played the role Of Rommel in a very passionate and realistic manner. Great direction. Loved watching it. A collectors gift. Thks for sharing.
I grew up with this movie. Still to this day, I can't help but see James Mason when I read something about Rommel.
Thanks for sharing.
James Mason was a consciousness objector in WW2, that might help you with your thought.
Ed Harris
@@chipbuttytime3396 In retrospect, he was right.
Me too
James Mason was a Great actor. ..Great movie. Thanks.
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When i watch war movies I remember General Patton's quote " you do not win a war by dying for your country. you win a war by making the other guy die for his country." I cleaned up the quote for gentle souls.
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My dad served under Patton. He said the movie portrayed him fairly well.
Love the show!! Thank you so much for posting it. James mason is such a good actor. ♥️🇨🇦
Roger that. Welcome.
Absolutely. Rommel was a Grntleman and a Very Honourable Man !
Huge admirer of James Mason's work and Rommel was indeed a legend.
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James Mason was an excellent actor, however Rommel was subject to some PR to make him out as a model soldier for propaganda purposes.
Far better Generals than him,all on the Eastern Front.Manstein,Heinrici,Model and Balck,all superior.
Good film,though.
@@richardscanlan3419 It is a good film, but the point is it was more a work of fiction that the British public were lead to believe. A false narrative was constructed in Britain to suggest that Rommel was a "good" German, but the evidence that indicates otherwise was glossed-over during and for several decades after the war.
Sure.I mean he did serve that system, but for some reason,a glamourised version of him popped up.
Unusual in a war v an enemy that epitomised evil.
But then,look at someione like the Soviet Zhukov,was he good? after all,look at the system he served.@@WallaseyanTube
I'm glad to hear that Churchill made that tribute to Rommel about being a great general. And I'm even more appreciative of the fact that he mentioned that he turned against Hitler in the end, and showed that not every German towed the line when it came to Nazi rulership over Germany. There was a resistance in Germany which should be pointed out and they should have equal measure to those in other countries who did the same thing. Fairness must be given its due at any time to those on all sides in all nations because nothing is ever one-sided anywhere among any people when it comes to war or any other human endeavor.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@douglasschliewen4302 Indeed!
Wow what an outstanding testimony of God's Love and Forgiveness. Thank you for uploading this amazing film , so well acted, showing how so many people moved in unity for justice .
My father did his basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ, which was also home to POWs from the Afrika Corps. My father said that they were very tough and extremely loyal to General Rommel.
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General Erwin Rommel treated his soldiers like he treated his own son! They love and respected him they can go anywhere even in the moon with him! He showed leadership by example always in the frontline of the Battle! He never demanded anything from his soldiers that he wouldn’t do by himself! He treated his captured enemies well according to the Geneva Convention! Amongst all the Nazi Germany Corps of World War 2 the Africa Corps of General Erwin Rommel is the only one bereft of atrocities committed during World War Two k! Salute to a great General k!
Just FYI! There are other punctuation marks beside the exclamation point! Try them!
@@monadyne Hahah that's what I was thinking after reading it.
There were NO extensive civilian or urban populations or building concentrations in the desert which helped to avoid massacres. Water wells were poisoned instead.
Good points, well made. Thanks for the visit!
Rommel wasn't alone in the way he handled his command. If you look at any of the well regarded field generals of the war, Patton, Yamashita, Monty, Rommel, Manstein, MacArthur and de Gaul all were considered generals who fought from the front. I am not sure why it isn't a requirement for a field general. It's a lot easier to decipher the enemies battle plan and maneuver to defeat it when you can see it and react to it in real time. Alot of the lesser thought of or disgraced generals of the war preferred to lead from a field tent well behind the front. Your generals like Paulus and Percival were at a great disadvantage in making real time decisions having to read or listen to reports and make decisions based on the information in them. These generals are usually better suited for staff work or overall command. Unfortunately for the men under them most generals are very ambitious and will hide their flaws in search or a promotio. Eisenhower is a prime example of a general never regarded much for field work but a great overall commander who delegated very well. Ike is by far the most fascinating general of the war. When the war began he was a full bird colonel stationed in Hawaii. Patton tapped him to be his chief of staff. 5 years later he was one of the handful of generals to receive a 5th star.
Happy heavenly birthday to James Neville Mason (May 15, 1909 - July 27, 1984) 🎉
Interesting FACT, Winston Churchill actually paid a tribute to Rommel during the war!!!! Said that he was "A great general"
That is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
He did. You can be against someone and yet still admire their skills as a commander. Unlike many of the Nazis, Rommel also did not engage in brutality or mistreatment of POWs as he had seen that in WW I and would not tolerate it under his own command.
No better tribute than being hunted by British SAS. I mean i would feel like a total bad ass knowing i was going to be taken out by those guys.
P.m.
@@Strong_UP_Calvins_zombie Right?!
My Grandfather was an original Desert Rat serving during WW2. Dad was in the RGJ and also a Desert Rat. I was 17 when we went into Kuwait, third member of my family to wear the badge as part of 7th Armd.
Also loved James Mason in Cross of Iron!
Thank you (and you family) for your (and their) service. Welcome. FYI - re: James Mason "He registered as a conscientious objector during World War II (causing his family to break with him for many years) but his tribunal did not exempt him on the requirement to do non-combatant military service, which he also refused to perform. " - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mason#:~:text=He%20registered%20as%20a%20conscientious,he%20also%20refused%20to%20perform
I am privileged to know this and I salute your dear Grandfather , father and you , yourself. And thank you .
Precicly a rat
Tank action in the desert intrigued me. In 1956-58 I worked for the B&O RR. They transferred me from the machine shop work on Steam locos to the diesel shop, Apr 57. The foreman had been a Tank Commander opposing Rommel and he was still angry that we never provided air cooled engines. He kept losing Tanks with water cooling problems. I can see his face so clearly but I cant remember his name. GREAT BOSS!!! When the B&O leased a whole fleet of NEW model diesels in Feb 58, most of us lost our jobs because they werent going to need much maintenance for a long time. And anybody could change Michiana filters. LOL
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@@DonaldPBorchersOG Just 2 nights ago I finally remembered my boss' name. Nelson Busky or Buskey. I never saw it written so am not sure if was with or without an 'e'. One heck of a great boss!!!!
Rommel was great tactician, a great general, and no interest in politics.
The Desert Rat's is another movie you should watch back to back. Both are great war movies.
Roger that. Thanks for the visit!
British propaganda,Manstein, Gurdrien, VonToma, Kessering. were all
probably better Generals, a great Myth sprung up around him, to excuse
their incompetent handling of the war, Monty who defeated him was
widely despised by by his peers,Rommel is the most overrated General
of the war as noted in the very first scene,weird no.
@@davidrose9668 Your talking rubbish.See i notice no one agrees with you 6months after your comment!
@@davidrose9668 PS-Not one of your Generals is spelt correctly either,your lack of spelling equals your lack of knowledge my friend.I can guess where your really from Mr Botski?
When the first words of a film are spoken by Michael Rennie, you know it'll be good.
I first saw this in grade school (I'll be 49 in June) and it's always been a favorite. You really went to some serious effort in the desciption. Thanks so much for all your work getting this out.
Rommel: "What about the petrol?"
commander: "not a pint"
Rommel: "don't you mean liter?"
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No, he meant "litre".
commander: [points to movie camera] "The Americans don't know what that is."
Congrats.Almost one year and one Million Views this Film says it all really!.
The irony is that in real life Rommel never actually agreed to take part in the generals plot. However, he did fail to report the fact that he was approached, and that was what doomed him. He was an extraordinary man though, and an extraordinary soldier.
That's your opinion .
@@user-yi6nb9sj9i, curious, what do you take exception for?
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He was a staunch Nazi and lover of Hitler all the same , he may have been a good soldier but not what people think he was .
It's my opinion also user
I first saw this movie over 60 years ago. It was very impressive then and still is today......
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Great film ,seen many times, ill watch any film with the late great James Mason
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Bravo!! I originally was gunna check the first ten minutes and get out but the first ten minutes dragged me in and still watching halfway..well done.
The older I get, the more emotional I get during the end of this film. If that bomb had both charges, Hitler would have been killed and Rommel spared. smh the fortunes of war. Thanks for sharing this with us.
We tried many times but each time Hitler survives. In the end, the only one who could kill Hitler was himself.
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Imagine what a conversation if both Patton & Rommel could have lived to have dinner together🤯
@dougbrowne9890 Indeed!
@frankgesuele6298 Yes, that would have been lovely!
Such an excellent movie depicting the end for Rommel whom essentially was indeed , a decent and honourable Officer of the Military and a gentleman . And such an excellent performance by James Mason. Thank you very much for this video.
Welcome.
In this film he defended Hitler. What’s decent and honourable about that ?
@@jintsfan For those who know Rommel's history, he did defend Hitler at first but began to change his opinion as he learned more about Hitler's mania and what he was doing. He also felt that assassination of a leader was wrong, overall, just as many in their own countries would feel that to outright assassinate their leader would be. Our view is skewed because we have the benefit of knowing all of history and so "He's Hitler" becomes the catch all excuse.
There's more to it than "Oh, he defended Hitler, so he's no good." Yours is an uninformed, one-dimensional view, in truth.
@@jintsfanNot quite correct .Rommel ,,first and foremost was an Officer and gentleman . He obeyed orders as all good men of the military do . However , he came to realise that Hitler was both mad and had become a force of and for - evil. And that is why he , Rommel was assassinated - murdered on Hitler’s orders . Something which you obviously missed in this very decent movie , depicting the war at that point . Furthermore , when Rommel’s death was made known , Winston Churchill honoured him in Parliament and made a very elegant and touching statement . All this you could learn for yourself by reading Hansard and accredited history .
@@alexandradane3672 gentleman? who why round up 20,000 Jews? go on - explain that.
I heard of him from my father and grandfather. We are from India and I must say the great General or Field Marshall rather commands the respect of plenty of Indian people like me.
Roger that. Thanks for watching!
Pilot Charlie Fox was credited officially with shooting up Rommel's car, but he said he regretted it when he learned Rommel wanted to make peace. The film quality is great- 1080HD! TY
Thanks for sharing.
Charlie Fox used to provide commentary at the Geneseo airshow in upstate New York and he spoke frequently of his mission in which they strafed Rommels staff car. The fortunes of war can never be pre determined or predicted but one cannot but wonder what alternate course history would have taken had Rommel not been hurt. Would he possibly have been able to devote more attention to the elimination of Hitler. Just as the briefcase was placed on the wrong side of the heavy oak table leg a couple Spirfires in a certain place at a certain time may have had a resounding impact on the war and historys course.
*"..in a man-to-man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine.."*
Field Marshal-Erwin Rommel
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production and logistics win wars, Rommel understood that.
Well made and pretty accurate historically. Hollywood could never tolerate such depressing honesty nowadays.
Good point. Thanks for the visit!
What a great film! A big fan of James Mason. Today's Hollywood could learn a few things with this wonderful example of cinema.
Mason registered as a conscientious objector during World War II (causing his family to break with him for many years), but his tribunal did not exempt him on the requirement for non-combatant military service, which he also refused. He appealed against that aspect of the tribunal's decision,[9] but it became irrelevant once he was included in a general exemption for film work.
I had forgotten how great James Mason was as an actor. He played Rommel to a tee
Thanks for your opinion.
how the hell do you know that!
@@howardkahn4330 Yes...One of the most interesting comments in the entire list... At first glance, your comment seems very harsh, but, after thinking about it, I agree with you... Let's remember that, when the film was made, there would still have been plenty of people alive, who would have known Rommel personally... And the film producers would have been able to draw on those people's memories, so as to get lots of information about his personality, so that James Mason would have been able to create a fairly accurate presentation on screen... If a new film was made about Rommel today, there would be almost nobody still alive to give help with the actor's preparations... It seems to be generally accepted that James Mason DID create a reasonably accurate impression of Erwin Rommel... IMO if everyone thinks that James Mason did a good impression, then I am happy to accept it, as we cannot prove otherwise...
I hadn't seen this movie in a long time and it was just as good as I remembered. It also had a great cast and acting was perfect.
Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome.
One eh my favourite films Erwin Rommel the desert fox was a legend
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Two of the commandos died in the raid, 28 were captured, and 3 escaped.
Thanks, I did not know that.
Lousy plan, also stupid!
@@DonaldPBorchersOG One of the commandoes after the war worked as a Postie at Portobello DO Edinburgh.
@@duncancallum Roger that.
I hadn't seen this for decades, and it's still a very impressive production. I'd assumed it was made in the mid- to late 50s, not a mere seven years after his death: a remarkable tribute to a late enemy. Manfred later became friends with the sons of Monty and Patton.
Thanks for your comments.
That’s not surprising since one of Pattons sons commanded the Army Corp in southern West Germany in the 70s.
@@michaelhearne3289 Thanks for the visit!
Manfred was mayor of Stuttgart from 1974 to 1996 and one of the most respected politicians in West Germany. His father told him he didn't care much what career he chose--just not the army.
Rommel was never your enemy.
Henry Hathaway had an interesting career and directed some good (and varied) movies from Western, his primary output to drama, war, crime and even a blaxpoitation film in the '70's (his last film).
I actually checked to see if "Hangup" (1974) was in the Public Domain. It's not. Thanks for the visit!
He was an excellent director.
Mason also played Rommel in the movie The Desert Rats 1953. Richard Burton played a Brit Co of an Aussie inf unit.
Roger that. Welcome.
Didn't like his portrayal of Rommel in that film. Totally different and more of a stereotype WW2 German.
I was trying to figure out where was Richard Burton in this movie, which I thought he was, so I will try to find the desert rats after this. Thank you
James Mason was a conscientious objector in ww2!
He even refused to do non-combatant military service. Well, he ended up doing his military service…… In a German uniform.
Being a a conscientious objector during World War II caused his family to break with him for many years.
Beautiful and stirring!
Thank you! Cheers!
Mason also nails it in 'Cross of Iron' (1977). Worth a look.
Roger that. My very first job in Hollywood was preparing royalty statements for Producers. "Cross of Iron" (1977) was one of the very first statements I ever worked on.
Yes, Mason had a decent part, but, of course, James Coburn as Sgt. Steiner, took all the glory...
Always enjoy watching this WW 2 Movie of Rommel with James Mason. Some other characters are really good as well. Born 1951 when this Movie was released.
Seen many times. Good One. Watch & enjoy. Thank you.
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enjoy? why was this fim of a Nazi ever made? baffling.
Don't watch it. I enjoyed it.@@neilritson7445
Rommel was an officer and gentleman, but never a nazi.
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Ah yes. The post-war Rommel myth. He was a Nazi.
Herrlingen bei Ulm was the official name of the town where the Rommel's resided, I believe. Heidelberg, Mannheim, Freiburg, Baden-Baden and the Black Forest are all in Baden-Wuerttemberg as well.
That's interesting. Thanks for the visit!
Superb voice, James Mason
Thanks for watching!
Very good for a dramatic war film.
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muito obrigado pela postagem.
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My grandfather fought next to Rommel. Ernest Kohl, father of one Helmut Kohl, my uncle.
One of the best war movies ever made
The fact that Rommel would wear a black leather jacket and probably his full uniform underneath in the scorching sun of North Africa just impresses me very much.
Right?! Thanks for watching.
An interesting side note: Mason was a conscientious objector during WW2.
Yes. Somewhat ironic. Thanks for the visit!
1:07:20 It's crazy how an American TBF Avenger diving down becomes a Spitfire and strafes Rommel's car. :P
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His name quite rightly lives on!
JML
Roger that. Thanks for watching.
Rommel was a soldiers soldier. Everyone could respect that. 🫡
Pity James Mason was a conscientious objector, but didn't mind appearing in war films.
Well said. Thanks for the visit!
Absolutely wonderful flick...
Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome.
Fantastic. Thanks, Donald.
Welcome.
Great film!
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That's not exactly true. He treated his soldiers as soldiers and sometimes ate with them. He was a soldier from head to toe and demanded the same from his subordinates.
Well said. Thanks for the visit!
Thank you 🤩🤩🤩💖💖
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great movie a must see for the new generation.
Just imagine those last moments between Rommel and his wife... the ultimate heartbreak, sheer agony.
His wife burst into tears when watching this movie at the end.
Probably the most decent and respected German officer. Respected even by Churchill himself.😮
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One of the best movie I have ever watched❤
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James Mason, un gran actor!!!!
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Good movie!!!
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Enjoy this movie, it's about British victory. Long time ago but. Lately, not so much of the victories.
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James Mason! One of the best actors! 💯
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Amazingly, watchers still fail to see the fact that when others criticised Hitler, this so - called good German Rommel defended him. Great film, but if true to life, an eye opener.
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Rommel honestly thought Hitler was a great leader up to the time when the tide of war turned by the end of '42, and he then saw the Fuhrer's real face when he ordered Rommel to defend the Alamein down to the last man, without sending him any reinforcements to engage an overwhelming enemy that outnumbered the Afrika korps largely, and were armed to their teeth as never before. From then on he began to drift apart from Hitler to the point of considering seriously to get rid of him.
@@stargazer1744 why wouldn't he? Afrika Korps was his baby. Rommel had proven that with even understrength Panzer units, they were still able to push the British and Montgomery back across North Africa. Had he been given the time he needed and the supplies, the Allies would have had a much more difficult time at Normandy. He tried to get that Bohemian Corporal to release the Panzer Reserves, but no one up at staff dared wake him.
@@jeffburnham6611 - I agree.
Outstanding!
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I love this movie. everything about it. I have watched it over the years several times.
But i do wish they would make a Re Dux but longer and show Rommels actions in WW1. And of course more action and strategy from north africa. but most likely if they did they would butcher it. This film will remain one of my favorites . I have always loved James Mason as a actor and he does such a wonderful job in this film
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Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel,a true legend.
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Excellent and moving film - a fitting tribute, and this by an Englishman no less.
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When german says that there's not a pint of fuel does he mean beer?
As far as I know they measured fluids using liters
Good question. "Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?..."
Those commando's sure kicked up alot of dust going in there.
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@@DonaldPBorchersOG I love these old movies.
The real historical documentary footage alone is sufficient to make this movie worth watching. The film was not too historical accurate, however, and showed Rommel's career when he was already losing.
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James Mason was stellar in this movie but Luther Adler as Hitler stole the scene with Mason . Brilliant performances from these old veteran actors.
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Rest In Peace Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
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Acting in thisbis first class,especially last part between rommel and the general Hitler send to give him options. Fantastic acting
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Almost all WW2 movies depict German soilders very WELL DRESSED !
I think that is the reason Tom Cruise made "Valkyrie" (2008) ... to wear those clothes! Ha!
thank you
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A terrific movie for a Sunday afternoon(or anytime, lol)! My German-born dad was ten at the time of Rommel's death and I remember him telling us how a national day of mourning was declared on the day of his funeral and they were given the day off from school, though their homework assignment was that they were required to submit a short 'essay' the next day about his contributions to the Reich. All shops were closed, very sombre classical music was played on the radio all day long and the state funeral was even broadcast live(and no, Hitler did not attend)...Herr Goebbels must've worked overtime orchestrating this Nazi production!. Though ostensibly offered the 'option' of an honourable death (suicide) or facing a humiliating trial before Roland Freisler's Volksgericht(Peoples Court) where he most certainly would've been found guilty of treason and executed(as well as imperilling his own family, and all immensely embarrassing to the regime), in reality, Rommel had very little choice. Germans, like the rest of the world, would only learn of his true fate after the war's end. One of the great ironies of the Third Reich(and there are many) is that, though this despicable regime considered this honourable and decent man a traitor and compelled him to take his own life, to save face, they were also forced to give a true German patriot the funeral he actually deserved! As for the film itself, I'm no expert on the North African campaign and can't comment on the accuracy of all events portrayed here, but I did notice one thing not quite right from the get-go. The Stahlhelm that the Wehrmacht soldiers are wearing, both in Africa and in Europe, seems to be a much older version, perhaps a variant of the M1918 model that was introduced late in WWI and used by the Reichswehr during the Weimar years. It was phased out during the early days of the Wehrmacht(Third Reich) and replaced by the M1935 and its future variants. You certainly would never have seen it in 1941 North Africa(nor any other WWII campaigns for that matter, though surplus ones did make a reappearance with some Volkssturm, or people's militia units, near the war's end). The most obvious differences between the two are that the M1935 is squatter-looking with a shorter and less flared front visor and rear skirt with no side bolts...essentially the 'classic' Wehrmacht helmet of WWII. Though the M1935 would be tweaked and improved over the years, it retained this basic shape right through until 1945(and is still in use in some countries today, including Chile, Bolivia and even Germany(as a firefighter's helmet). I'm really surprised the film's prop people and historical advisors let this one get by as it's so patently obvious, and particularly since in 1951, authentic M1935s and later models could be purchased by the truckloads for practically peanuts!
Awful what they did that morning to him and family. What a brave man.
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Montgomery wasn't crap, Patton was the deciding factor of WW2
Booyah! We have a winner...someone who knows history.
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So the narrator sounds identical to Michael Rennie (The Day the Earth Stood Still) but no credit is given to him. Also weird he is doing a voice over for the british officer in the opening scenes. Anyone know what the story is with that?
i thought the same thing.
ps...just looked on Wikipedia...it was Michael Rennie narrating.
I suppose because he was narrating as that Lt.Col. they didn't want to have two different voices so Rennie just over-dubbed the few lines that actor had.
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Michael Rennie was narrating at the beginning of the film, and he narrated in other films of the period as well. As to why he was chosen for the voiceover of the lieutenant colonel, not too sure about that.
James Mason was most likely chosen to play the part of Rommel because he resembled him more than certain other actors. And I don't agree that James Mason resembled Guderian. He had a moustache for one thing and his eyes were very blue, of which James Mason had neither.
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James Mason invented the mason jar. Many talented guy
EXCELLENT JOB!!!!!!!
ROMMEL WAS A GENIUS & THE TRUEST OF SOLDIERS!!!!!
UNLIKE THE WEENIES WHO FLED WITH THEIR TAILS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS!!!!!!!!!
AS FAR AS THE HOLOCAUST, HE WAS NOT A PART OF IT AT ALL!!!!!!!! TRULY A GREAT MAN!!!!!!!!
RIP FIELD MARSHALL ROMMEL 🙏😎👍❤️🔥👏😘👌 HE WAS A SOLDIER & DID WHAT WAR BRINGS, NO MATTER WHICH SIDE HE WAS ON,,,,,HE WAS A UNIQUE DIAMOND!!!!!!!!💎
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!
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@markalcorn525 Michael Rennie was the voice of the narrator, "Desmond Young", not Peter Lawford.
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When the subject comes up, I wonder what would have happened to Rommel had he survived the war. Would Patton have insisted on meeting in person before Patton died from that car crash? He had a better rep than some German generals but would there have been hearing about him at Nuremberg?
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@Willysmb44 If Rommel had survived the war, the Bolshevik Russians would have insisted on his being put on trial in Nuremberg. Even though he had not been sent to the Eastern Front, the Russians had it in for anybody in the German military since they were all seen as loyal to Hitler and, therefore, culpable for having committed atrocities regardless of wherever they were during the course of the war. Stalin wanted to eliminate the German officer corps, so, Rommel naturally would've been on his list of those he wanted to execute. And I believe that he would've met Patton after the end of the war, and Patton would have intervened on his behalf to save him from prosecution by the the Allies and especially the Russians because Patton did rescue one particular German officer from being captured by the Russians and that person was Admiral Count Felix von Lückner.
@@douglasschliewen4302 Thanks for clocking in with this.
the book by Desmond Young is fine one, other bios of Rommel have also been done since then
Good movie
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Love James Mason 💙 ❤ 😊
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