War of the Worlds Extinction 2024 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Sex-Positive 2024 - Movies (Mar 28th)
The Farmers Daughter 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Dangerous Lies Unmasking Belle Gibson 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Flight Risk 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Road Trip 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
The Life List 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Renner 2025 - Movies (Mar 28th)
The Rule of Jenny Pen 2024 - Movies (Mar 28th)
Bring Them Down 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
Love Hurts 2025 - Movies (Mar 27th)
Holland 2025 - Movies (Mar 27th)
The House Was Not Hungry Then 2025 - Movies (Mar 27th)
One Million Babes BC 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
Through the Door 2024 - Movies (Mar 27th)
Snow White 2025 - Movies (Mar 27th)
England’s Lions The New Generation 2025 - Movies (Mar 26th)
The Last Keeper 2024 - Movies (Mar 26th)
The Brutalist 2024 - Movies (Mar 25th)
Mufasa The Lion King 2024 - Movies (Mar 25th)
The Monkey 2025 - Movies (Mar 25th)
The One Show - (Mar 29th)
On Patrol- Live - (Mar 29th)
The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell - (Mar 29th)
The Rachel Maddow Show - (Mar 29th)
The Patrick Star Show - (Mar 29th)
Helsinki Crimes - (Mar 29th)
One Killer Question - (Mar 29th)
The Bold and the Beautiful - (Mar 29th)
Cops - (Mar 29th)
The Price Is Right - (Mar 29th)
The Young and the Restless - (Mar 29th)
Lets Make a Deal - (Mar 29th)
The Kelly Clarkson Show - (Mar 29th)
All In with Chris Hayes - (Mar 29th)
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - (Mar 29th)
Gold Rush - (Mar 29th)
Horrible Histories - (Mar 29th)
WWE SmackDown - (Mar 29th)
The Beat with Ari Melber - (Mar 28th)
Gogglebox - (Mar 28th)
Come out of your holes you desert rats! The Desert Rats is directed by Robert Wise and written by Richard Murphy. It stars Richard Burton, Robert Newton, Robert Douglas, Torin Thatcher, Chips Rafferty and James Mason. Music is by Leigh Harline and cinematography by Lucien Ballard. The follow up to The Desert Fox (it's not a sequel) from two years earlier, was in essence an attempt to readdress the balance after The Desert Fox annoyed certain quarters with its admiration for what a great soldier Field Marshal Rommel was. So here we have the battle of Tobruk orchestrated by the astute Robert Wise, the plot is simple, but the characterisations are most certainly not, with lead men Burton and Newton terrific. This important part of the war is given mature treatment, with the battle sequences realistically staged and the tactical nous of allied force leaders rightly given credence. Sadly Mason is barely in the picture, which is more frustrating when you witness the extended scene that is shared between Mason and Burton, a British film fan's dream right there. While elsewhere it should be noted that this is, perhaps inevitably, not an accurate history lesson, so students of Tobruk don't be basing your thesis on this telling. Still, a good quality war pic for sure. 7/10
With Rommel (James Mason) bearing down heavily on the beleaguered allied garrison of Tobruk, it falls to "Capt. MacRoberts" (Richard Burton) to try and galvanise some war weary ANZAC troops for one last defence against the wily Desert Fox. He's not exactly puritanical, but he doesn's suffer disobedience and that sets him, initially, against his new troop when he over-reacts to behaviour from their "Lt. Carstairs" (Charles Tingwell). As luck would have it, though, the regimental dipso - "Bartlett" (Robert Newton) just happens to have been the captain's schoolmaster and still commands enough respect with his former pupil to help him see past his red mist, and assist with the increasingly onerous responsibilities heaped upon him and his men as the Nazis get ever closer. I think Mason only does two scenes so doesn't feature much, but the rapport between Burton and the always engaging Newton manages to successfully marry the heroic with the rational, the human with the humane. The constant barrages of artillery fire that pound the very soul from these men is well illustrated with the occasional use of actuality to complement some real desert photography and a solid supporting cast with Torin Thatcher, Chips Rafferty and Robert Douglas helping to present us with an entirely plausible appreciation of just how tough and relentless that North African campaign was.
Movie Review: The Desert Rats (1953) The Desert Rats (1953), directed by Robert Wise, is a war film that brings to life the courage and perseverance of soldiers during the defense of Tobruk in World War II. While the film offers a Hollywood take on this significant chapter of history, it balances its historical inaccuracies with strong performances, especially from Richard Burton and James Mason, making it an engaging watch. The film focuses on British and Australian forces during the North African Campaign. Under the leadership of Colonel Nicholson (Burton), the men of Tobruk are forced to hold their ground against the German Afrika Korps. Burton delivers a commanding performance as the determined and resourceful officer, while Mason plays a seasoned Australian officer with a pragmatic approach to survival. The contrast between their characters adds depth to the film, highlighting different styles of leadership in wartime. While The Desert Rats is grounded in real events, it takes liberties with certain details for dramatic effect. Some historical inaccuracies, particularly in the portrayal of military strategy and characters, may stand out for viewers familiar with the true events. Yet, these deviations do not overshadow the film's core themes or its tribute to the soldiers who fought at Tobruk. The strength of the film lies in its performances. Burton’s intensity as a leader under pressure is a standout, showcasing his ability to portray inner conflict as well as determination. Mason, on the other hand, brings a more reserved, pragmatic energy to the role, creating an interesting dynamic between the two. Their chemistry anchors the film, and the supporting cast, including several skilled character actors, brings authenticity to the portrayal of soldiers from different backgrounds. The film excels in its depiction of the harsh conditions of desert warfare. The desolate landscape is captured with stunning visuals that add to the sense of isolation and danger. The action scenes, though somewhat restrained by the technology of the era, still manage to convey the urgency and peril of the situation. The tension between the soldiers and their German adversaries builds effectively, making for a gripping viewing experience. One of the film’s key strengths is its dialogue, which is filled with memorable lines that reflect the camaraderie, sacrifice, and shared hardships of soldiers in war. The script strikes a balance between the serious nature of combat and moments of levity that allow the characters to showcase their humanity. Conclusion: The Desert Rats is a solid war film that, despite some historical inaccuracies, remains engaging thanks to its strong performances and gripping portrayal of the Siege of Tobruk. Burton and Mason bring depth to their roles, and the film’s realistic depiction of desert warfare adds to its authenticity. While the story may take dramatic liberties, the emotional core of the film stands as a powerful tribute to the soldiers who endured one of World War II’s most challenging campaigns. Rating: 7.5/10
In the 1930s, Count Almásy is a Hungarian map maker employed by the Royal Geographical Society to chart the vast expanses of the Sahara Desert along with several other prominent explorers. As World War II unfolds, Almásy enters into a world of love, betrayal, and politics.
The true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. When the Jews of the city find themselves forced into a ghetto, Szpilman finds work playing in a café; and when his family is deported in 1942, he stays behind, works for a while as a laborer, and eventually goes into hiding in the ruins of the war-torn city.
The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.
A German submarine hunts allied ships during the Second World War, but it soon becomes the hunted. The crew tries to survive below the surface, while stretching both the boat and themselves to their limits.
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
When a folk high school is turned into an internment camp for German refugees, the headmaster couple Jakob and Lis and their children are thrust into an impossible situation. Should the family help the refugees — or stand firm in the Danish resistance against the Germans?
In the midst of the D-Day invasion, a group of US soldiers are given orders to smuggle a member of the French Resistance behind enemy lines to assassinate a high-value Nazi target.
Oldrich is the runt of his village, beaten by his father, bullied by the other boys. But he has imagination on his side, and a wiry toughness they can’t defeat. The village is in turmoil, because the Nazi occupiers have just retreated and the Red Army is advancing. Oldrich dodges amid the mayhem and panic, taking his share of blows but always managing to stay one step ahead. Beautifully shot and darkly ironic, Karel Kachyna’s forgotten masterpiece jumbles reality, memory and fantasy to capture the intensity and confusion of childhood in a war zone.
During the Nazi occupation of Poland, an acting troupe becomes embroiled in a Polish soldier's efforts to track down a German spy.
In 1942 the Germans devised an operation to introduce in Egypt spies to provoke a rebellion against the British.
A brother and sister learn their biological grandfather was a kamikaze pilot who died during World War II. During their research into his life, they get conflicting accounts from his former comrades about his character and how he joined his squadron.