The Desert Rats

The Desert Rats is a 1953 American black-and-white war film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Robert L. Jacks, directed by Robert Wise, that stars Richard Burton, James Mason, and Robert Newton. The film's storyline concerns the Siege of Tobruk in 1941 North Africa during World War II. Plot German field marshal Erwin Rommel (James Mason) and his Afrika Korps have driven the British Army back toward Egypt and the vital Suez Canal. Standing in Rommel's way is Tobruk, a constant threat to his supply lines. The 9th Australian Division are charged with holding the port. The defending Allied general (Robert Douglas) chooses British Captain MacRoberts (Richard Burton) to take command of newly arrived, untried Australian troops. The no-nonsense MacRoberts, disliked by the undisciplined Australians, is surprised to see in their ranks his former schoolmaster, Tom Bartlett (Robert Newton), an alcoholic dismissed from education for drunkenness. MacRoberts offers to transfer him to a safer billet, but Bartlett refuses. The troops are sent directly into the front lines, where they dig in and prepare for Rommel's assault. Under cover of a sandstorm, Rommel's tanks and infantry attack where the Allied general predicted and head directly at MacRoberts' men. But the Germans are beaten back. As a result, MacRoberts is made lieutenant colonel and battalion commander. It is later decided to send out small commando raids every night, exacting a toll on Nazi positions. But during a successful raid on a Nazi ammunition dump, MacRoberts is wounded and captured. While being treated by a German doctor, he encounters Rommel, who has been shot by a strafing Spitfire. Although he is respectful, MacRoberts points out to the field marshal that Tobruk is a thorn in his side. Rommel, amused by his brashness, orders he be treated well. Later, MacRoberts escapes and makes his way back to Allied lines. The siege of Tobruk carries on for months. As a result, MacRoberts fears his men are becoming weary and will need to be relieved. After constant attacks and shelling by the Germans, MacRoberts believes they can take no more. Surprisingly, the self-admitted coward, Bartlett, begs him to hang on. To MacRoberts' surprise, the rest of his men refuse to abandon their positions. Eventually, the Australians hear bagpipes announcing the arrival of a relief column. After a hard-fought 242 days, the Allies have retained Tobruk. Cast