 |   Format : Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC Publisher : 20th Century Fox Company : MASON,JAMES List Price: Our Price: $6.73 You Save: $8.25 (56%) Used Price : $5.43 |
Description
James Mason delivers a strong performance in this fascinating portrait of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. In the early 1940's, Rommel's juggernaut Afrika Korps dominated North Africa. But as the tide turned and he came to the painful realization that his Fuhrer, to whom he hd sworn allegiance, was destroying Germany, his ingrained sense of duty pushed him into a conspiracy against Hitler. Co-starring Jessica Tandy as Rommel's wife and Cedric Hardwicke as another anti-Hitler conspirator, The Desert Fox is an intimate look at one of the most respected military tacticians of modern times.Amazon.com
What a difference a few years can make. The Desert Fox, released six years after the end of World War II, is a solemnly respectful tribute to Erwin Rommel, Germany's most celebrated military genius. James Mason's portrayal of this gallant warrior became a highlight of his career iconography. The film itself is oddly disjointed: a precredit commando raid to liquidate Rommel is followed by a flashback to the field-marshal's lightning successes commanding the Afrika Korps—-a compressed account via documentary footage and copious narration (spoken by Michael Rennie, who also dubs Desmond Young, the Rommel biographer and onetime British POW appearing briefly as himself). The dramatic core is Rommel's growing disenchantment with Hitler (Luther Adler), his involvement in the plot to assassinate der Führer, and his subsequent martyrdom. Mason's Rommel returned two years later for a flamboyant, mostly German-speaking cameo in The Desert Rats, a prequel focusing on the battle for Tobruk. --Richard T. JamesonSimilarProduct
Customer reviews
DVD features a nice transfer of a great film 
by .. Darren Harrison (Washington D.C.)
I recently saw an advance review copy of the DVD "The Desert Fox" and I was surprised at the nice quality of the transfer of what is an exceptional movie. Based on the exploits of the famed German general Erwin Rommel the DVD has a crisp clean transfer. Included on this disc is the original theatrical trailer which remarkably, considering it's age, is also reproduced here in relatively good condition.
Considering it's low price this addition to the Fox War Classics catalog is easy to recommend.
The Fox! by .. J. Hoerth (United States)
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (James Mason), better known as "The Desert Fox" was a very popular and respected German soldier in WWII! The film pays tribute to Rommel and is a superb tribute about Rommel's life as General, husband and father. Rommel was a huge believer in tactics and won many early victories as the film shows, not all in great detail, but enough to get the point across. As the film begins at the begining of WWII, Rommel took control of the Afrika Korps, and they would take total control of North Africa. But then the tide would turn, and the Germans were defeated. Somewhat defeated but not totally lost Rommel is put in charge by Hitler (Luther Adler) to take over the Atlantic Wall. He orders it to be built up to such military power that the Allies will be pushed back into the sea and be defeated. As this happens the film picks up. The D-Day Invasion is one of the high points of the film. But it does not fail after that. Something just as important to Rommel as the Atlantic Wall, is taking Hitler out of power and this seems to be a must, not an option. So along with others that believe the Fuhrer must be taken out of power, they plot to assassinate him. But it fails and Hitler goes after everyone that might be against him. In the end Rommel himself is targeted and must either take poison and save his family and reputation or die a slow death. So Rommel puts on his best uniform and bids farewell to his wife (Leo G. Carroll). "The Desert Fox" is a must see as it is about a man who was loved by his fellow soldiers and was respected by those who fought against him during the war.
Grade:B+
A classic film about the heroics of an honourable man by .. Breyel (MALAYSIA)
While this 1951 biographical film on WWII German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is stylistically dated, "The Desert Fox" is a decent enough documentary about key moments in his life between 1941 to 1944.
Based on the research undertaken by Michael Rennie, who was a POW in North Africa when he first encountered Rommel, he relates how his travel to Germany after the war and interviews with family members and soldiers who served under him influenced his quest to discover the truth behind Rommel's death. From there, the film attempts to probe how and why Rommel became a conspirator in Adolf Hitler's assassination.
Although filmed six years after the WWII, "The Desert Fox" is surprisingly respectful in its treatment of Rommel. He is portrayed as an honourable man who fought for his country's cause, but then realised he had to correct Hitler's misuse of power, disregard for life and dishonour of Germany.
As for the cinematography, I found the weakest scene in the film was in the opening when British commandos attempted to assassinate Rommel in 1941; it is set on a film stage and looks it. Otherwise, the historical footage of some of the battles in North Africa, the Atlantic fortifications and D-Day are appropriately segued to his life and lend authenticity. There are even brief glimpses of Generals Eisenhower and Patton, as well as then British Prime Minister Churchill's tribute honouring the heroics of Rommel.
James Mason's portrayal of Rommel is superb. Jessica Tandy as Rommel's dutiful and supportive wife is passable, although it's certainly not her finest performance.
The digital transfer of this B&W film looks fine.
Great Story! by .. Diana J. Dell ()
James Mason is stellar as Field Marshal Rommel. You'll witness his military defeat in Africa and return to Hitler's Germany. This film is a great story about a great general.--Diana Dell, author, "A Saigon Party: And Other Vietnam War Short Stories."
Desert Fox by .. B. Riner (Savannah, GA United States)
Enjoyed the movie once again after many, many years. Arrived as new in a timely manner.