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The Desert Rats

Play trailer Poster for The Desert Rats 1953,  1h 28m,  War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 100% 6 Reviews Tomatometer 71% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In North Africa, German Field Marshal Rommel and his troops have successfully fended off British forces, and now intend to take Tobruk, an important port city. A ramshackle group of Australian reinforcements sent to combat the Germans is put under the command of British Captain MacRoberts. The unruly Aussies immediately clash with MacRoberts, a gruff, strict disciplinarian, however, this unorthodox team must band together to protect Tobruk from the German forces.

Critics Reviews

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Chris Bennion The Times (UK) Apr 27, 2023
A cavalier attitude towards historical accuracy is made up for by stirring performances from Mason and Richard Burton... Go to Full Review
Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 31, 2019
A sort of earlier-in-time sequel to Desert Fox, this is a Hollywood tribute to the defenders of Tobruk and has several satisfying moments. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 12, 2005
3/5
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews May 4, 2005
B-
Looks just like many other war films that salute the glories of war. Go to Full Review
Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Jul 29, 2004
3/5
Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Oct 31, 2003
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Kylo P May 31, 2012 A good WW2 desert maneuver film about Tobruk.
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The Desert Rats

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Wise

Director

Richard Burton

Capt. "Tammy" MacRoberts

James Mason

Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel

Robert Newton

Tom Bartlett

Robert Douglas

General

Torin Thatcher

Col. Barney White

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The Desert Rats

The Desert Rats (1953) The Desert Rats (1953) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In North Africa, German Field Marshal Rommel and his troops have successfully fended off British forces, and now intend to take Tobruk, an important port city. A ramshackle group of Australian reinforcements sent to combat the Germans is put under the command of British Captain MacRoberts. The unruly Aussies immediately clash with MacRoberts, a gruff, strict disciplinarian, however, this unorthodox team must band together to protect Tobruk from the German forces.
Director
Robert Wise
Producer
Robert L. Jacks
Screenwriter
Richard Murphy
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 20, 1953, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 11, 2010
Runtime
1h 28m
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