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James Mason (The Verdict, Ffolkes, Salems Lot, Cross of Iron, etc) plays Field Marshal Erwin Rommel- who was known for his exploits in the Afrik Korps during WWII - in this movie. The film includes some of his military career and his exploits during the desert campaign, but it also includes much more information about his life such as his contribution to supposed attempts on Adolf Hitlers life and his command of the beaches of Normandy. It also includes insight into Rommel's personnel life with Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy, Batteries Not Included, Fried Green Tomatos, Cocoon, etc) playing the part of Rommels wife. The director here is Henry Hathaway (True Grit, Nevada Smith, Wing and a Prayer, Niagara, etc) who has a list of previous big screen hits to his name and performs a very good job here of directing this movie-although many will want more war scenes and information on the Desert Foxes wartime acts. A good movie that war movie and history students will enjoy as well as devotees of WWII action should like also. Will give most of those people a full night of entertainment-but will likely not be enjoyed by many that do not enjoy that types of movies.Read full review
Erwin Rommel Field Marshall and Desert Fox. Very good portrait of the most favorite General of Hitler and respected by Germans and English for his skills as a desert fighter in WW2. this version is part soap opera and good re inactments of the over view of Rommel life from his desert victories to his death. Very likeable but straight Mason is Rommel and we like this man. Rommel who was a soldier who did what he was told. finally is drug into the plot to kill Hitler. Oddly enough he was nearly killed when British planes shoot his car and then oddly 3 months later Hitler sends henchmen to give Rommel the BAD news. Death bed confessions implicate him in the plot to kill Hitler, so Hitler gives him the choice of suicide and guarantees the safety of his beloved Wife Lucy OR EXECUTION. to keep his family safe (GREAT Jessica Tandy) and son Manfred is what this version shows. I give this a solid 7 out of 10 for good~ PLEASE VOTE IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL~Read full review
James Mason hits a "home run" with his portrayal of Rommel. This movie is an interesting and entertaining film about the life and exploits of the famous German Field Marshall. His many exploits in North Africa are legendary and his ultimate defeat there is always told as the "How the British kicked the Germans out of North Africa story." This story was made up by the British. The truth is, Germany made many plans for war long before war actually was declared. They used lots of slave labor and spent lots of money building fortifications and military equipment for this war. There were numerous bases and cashes of fuel and weapons strategically hidden (in many cases buried) in the Sahara, some probably still there. Most of this preparation had been undertaken by Mouisilini and the Italian forces in the 1930's. When Rommel made his move toward Suez and the Arabian oil fields, he was amply supplied. When the British did move in to stop him, they fought gallantly and successfully until they ran out of gas and materials. This war of attrition broke the backs of both armies. The Germans were not resupplied and simply ran out of everything. The German Army in trying to fight Russia, and the American and British fleets successful blockade of Suez and the Mediterranian, literally starved Rommel's army into capitulation. The U.S. Army finished this battle. When Rommel realized that North Africa was a lost cause, he told Hitler so, and was removed. Some say because of sickness, but others have said that Hitler, was at first thinking of killing him. Hitler did eventually leave the entire Africa Core to the discretion of the Allies. This marked a major turning point in the life and career of Rommel. He now was convinced that Hitler was a liar and that the only future for Germany and the German people was total annihilation. Having been put in charge of the completion of Europe's Atlantic defences, a wall of fortifications from Holland to Spain, Rommel now began to associate with what would come to be hundreds of conspirators who had but one thing in mind, the assassination of Hitler, and pursuit of peace with the rest of the world. Of course, the assassination attempt failed and thousands were executed, no matter if they were innocent or guilty. Rommel was one of those few who Hitler allowed the dignity of suicide. This was not an act of mercy, merely an act of further treachery, to further use a hero of the German people by showing Hitler as a loving friend, and Rommel as a hero of the Reich. It should be remembered however, that although a brilliant tactician, and ultimately looked upon as a German hero, Field Martial Rommel was a active and willing participant in the murder of tens of thousands of North Africans, Jews, and Europeans. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he was in command and ultimately responsible for the actions of his army and forces. Had Rommel survived the war, he definitely would have been tried for war crimes. This was a good movie and like so many others before it, was designed to highlight Rommel's accomplishments and fame. One can't help but to feel that this movie is intended to illicit compassion and admiration for Rommel too. But, what would have been his defense if tried. . .? - "I was only a soldier following orders"!!! Does that sound familiar?Read full review
Great movie. Excellent performance from James Mason.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The disk froze a bit in the beginning but I got it started working again.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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