THE DESERT FOX:
The Story of Rommel
DIRECTED BY HENRY HATHAWAY
PRODUCED BY NUNNALLY JOHNSON
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
Information From IMDb
Plot Summary
This biopic follows Rommel's career after the Afrika Korps,
including his work on the defenses of Fortress Europe
as well as his part in the assassination attempt on Hitler,
and his subsequent suicide.
Written by Alfred Jingle
Full Cast
James Mason ... Field Marshal Erwin Johannes Rommel
Cedric Hardwicke ... Dr. Karl Strolin
Jessica Tandy ... Frau Lucie Marie Rommel
Luther Adler ... Adolf Hitler
Everett Sloane ... Gen. Wilhelm Burgdorf
Leo G. Carroll ... Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt
George Macready ... Gen. Fritz Bayerlein
Richard Boone ... Capt. Hermann Aldinger
Eduard Franz ... Col. Klaus von Stauffenberg
Desmond Young ... Himself, Lt. Col. Desmond Young
Philip Ahlm ... German Soldier & Chauffeur (uncredited)
John Alderson ... German Sergeant / Hospital Staffer (uncredited)
Jack Baston ... Gen. Alfred Jodl (uncredited)
Roland Carpenter ... German Officer (uncredited)
Mary Carroll ... Rommel's Maid (uncredited)
Steve Carruthers ... Signal Man (uncredited)
Paul Cavanagh ... Lt. Col. Caesar von Hofaker (uncredited)
Pat Coleman ... S.S. Man (uncredited)
Robert Coote ... British Medical Officer (uncredited)
Eric Corrie ... Commando (uncredited)
Ashley Cowan ... New Zealand Soldier (uncredited)
Lawrence Cregar ... German Guard (uncredited)
Charles Davis ... Signal Man (uncredited)
Don De Leo ... Maj. Gen. Ernst Maisel (uncredited)
Jack Deery ... British Medic (uncredited)
Dwight D. Eisenhower ... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Richard Elmore ... Rommel's Driver in Africa (uncredited)
John Epper ... British Medical Officer (uncredited)
Charles Evans ... Gen. Schultz (uncredited)
Ray Flynn ... German Major (uncredited)
Scott Forbes ... Commando Colonel (uncredited)
Peter Forster ... Commando (uncredited)
John Goldsworthy ... Gen. Heinrich von Stulpnagel (uncredited)
Lumsden Hare ... Doctor (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes ... German Staff Officer at Conference (uncredited)
John Hoyt ... Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel (uncredited)
Robin Hughes ... Medic (uncredited)
Harold J. Kennedy ... S.S. Man (uncredited)
Gary Kettler ... German Staff Officer (uncredited)
Guy Kingsford ... Sergeant (uncredited)
Walter Kingsford ... Vice-Adm. Friedrich Ruge (uncredited)
Bela Kovacs ... S.S. Man (uncredited)
Paul Kruger ... German Colonel & Driver (uncredited)
Perk Lazelle ... German Officer (uncredited)
Charles Legneur ... German Colonel (uncredited)
Freeman Lusk ... German Surgeon (uncredited)
George Lynn ... German Lieutenant (uncredited)
Sandee Marriott ... German Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)
Lester Matthews ... British Officer (uncredited)
Sean McClory ... Jock (uncredited)
Keith McConnell ... British Agent (uncredited)
Hans Moebus ... Surgeon (uncredited)
Clive Morgan ... British Sub Lt. Commander (uncredited)
Jack Moyles ... Winston Churchill (voice) (uncredited)
George Nader ... Commando (uncredited)
Louis Nicoletti ... Italian General (uncredited)
Fred Nurney ... German Colonel (uncredited)
Dan O'Herlihy ... Commando Captain (uncredited)
Ray Page ... German Officer (uncredited)
George S. Patton ... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
John Pedrini ... S.S. Man (uncredited)
Gil Perkins ... German Soldier (uncredited)
John Peters ... German Officer & Tank Commander (uncredited)
John Pickard ... German Ski Trooper / Staff Aide (uncredited)
Albert Pollet ... German Colonel (uncredited)
Hugh Prosser ... Surgeon (uncredited)
Michael Rennie ... Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
William Reynolds ... Manfred Rommel (uncredited)
Albin Robeling ... Surgeon (uncredited)
Peter Seal ... Major General (uncredited)
Sam Sebby ... German Lieutenant (uncredited)
John Sheffield ... German Lieutenant (uncredited)
Robert E. Strickland ... German Officer (uncredited)
Hal Taggart ... German Staff Officer (uncredited)
Ivan Triesault ... German Major (uncredited)
Peter van Eyck ... German Officer (uncredited)
Philip Van Zandt ... German S.S. Man at Hospital (uncredited)
Harry J. Vejar ... German Major (uncredited)
John Vosper ... Maj. Walker (uncredited)
Trevor Ward ... Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (uncredited)
Crane Whitley ... S.S. Man (uncredited)
Patrick Whyte ... British Agent (uncredited)
Mervin Williams ... Reporter (uncredited)
Al Winters ... Reporter (uncredited)
Victor Wood ... British Medic (uncredited)
Wilson Wood ... Sergeant Major (uncredited)
William Yetter Jr. ... Photographer (uncredited)
Carleton Young ... German Staff Officer (uncredited)
Writing Credits
Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)
Desmond Young (biography) (as Brigadier Desmond Young, M.C.)
Original Music
Daniele Amfitheatrof
Cinematography
Norbert Brodine (director of photography)
Trivia
Luther Adler, who gives a very convincing portrayal of Adolf Hitler, was Jewish. During the original "Twilight Zone" series, he played a shopkeeper whose wish results into him turning him into Adolf Hitler.
Several film reference books credit Dan O'Herlihy with playing the officer who leads the raid in the opening pre-credits sequence, but he does not appear in the film. The mistake is understandable since the actor playing the officer does bear a resemblance to O'Herlihy.
This film was supposed to feature George Zucco, but the actor had a stroke on the set and was committed to a sanitarium in San Gabriel, California until his death in 1960.
According to 'Halliwell's Film Video & DVD Guide', this movie " . . . was probably the first film to use an action sequence to arrest attention before the credit titles."
The words "Rommel" and "Desert Fox" of this movie's title, refer to Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (1891-1944), the subject and lead character of this film. Rommel, whose full name was Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel, was a high-ranking German Nazi officer during World War II. Rommel was famous for commanding the Axis alliance forces of Italy and Germany in the North African theatre of the Second World War. His triumphs in this region make him to be one of the most successful military leaders in desert warfare and thus contributed to his legendary name, Wüstenfuchs or the Desert Fox, a nick-name he is more frequently known by. This popular "Desert Fox" name was used for this movie's title which is commonly more known by this informal short title: "The Desert Fox".
Apparently, Erwin Rommel's widow, Lucie Marie Rommel acted as a technical consultant and adviser to this movie. She was played by Jessica Tandy in the film itself. Mrs. Rommel lent the production some of her husband's personal artifacts and liaised with Nunnally Johnson, the film's producer and screenwriter. As Frau Lucie Maria Rommel, Mrs Rommel later also acted as a military consultant to the film The Longest Day (1962) made by 20th Century-Fox, the same studio that produced this movie.
This movie was directed by Henry Hathaway who, almost 20 years after this film, directed another about Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and also set in World War II North Africa. This was entitled Raid on Rommel (1971). Apart from that 1971 movie, all of Hathaway's films about the Second World War were all for Twentieth Century-Fox. These included The House on 92nd Street (1945); Wing and a Prayer (1944); You're in the Navy Now (1951); 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) and this film. Raid on Rommel (1971) was made by Universal.
According to the Twentieth Century-Fox records collection of the Legal Department at the UCLA Arts Special Collections Library, the script for this film was read and authorized by both the US State Department and US Commissioner for Germany, John J. McCloy, around the time of the early part of January 1951. Twentieth Century-Fox received harsh criticism both during pre-production and upon the release of the film for its sympathetic portrayal of German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
Kirk Douglas and Richard Widmark were considered to play the title role of German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The 15 February 1950 edition of 'The New York Times' stated that the rights to Brig. Gen. Desmond Young M.C.'s book 'Rommel' had been acquired by 20th Century-Fox and "the title role will be offered to Kirk Douglas." Later, according to a February 1951 memo held in the AMPAS Library MPAA/PCA file for this film, "Richard Widmark has been chiefly mentioned as Rommel."
The 27 November 1951 edition of the 'Hollywood Reporter' stated that allegedly on the direct orders of studio mogul Harry M. Warner, the Warner Brothers exhibition theatre chain has "cancelled all bookings and even terminated some runs on 'The Desert Fox'".
The movie was controversial upon its cinema release due to its sympathetic portrayal of Nazi German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The 'Hollywood Reporter' reported in December 1951 that there were protests about this film after this movie had been released in London, England. Moreover, 'Variety' in March 1952 reported protests after this film had been released in Italy and Australia and that publication also later reported negative reaction to the film in Argentina and Austria.
Movie debut (uncredited) of British actor John Alderson who plays a German corporal.
This movie had its theatrical release in Germany at the end of August 1952. Prior to this, there had been strong reservations about the film being released there. Both 'The New York Times' and 'The Hollywood Reporter' in November 1951 announced that reservations about this picture being released in Germany were held by many American-Jewish organizations, some German Government officials as well as the US State Department.
After this film, James Mason would reprise his role as Nazi German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel two years later in The Desert Rats (1953), made also by the same 20th Century Fox studio and also being set in World War II North Africa.
'The Hollywood Reporter' announced in April 1951 that actor George Pembroke would be appearing in this movie but he does not appear in this film's cast credits.
Studio information reported that Gen. Heinrich von Stulpnagel would be played by John Goldsworthy and Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery would be played by Trevor Ward but neither are credited. They appear but are not credited.
'The Hollywood Reporter ' announced in February 1950 and August 1950 that the 20th Century Fox studio planned to film background shots in North Africa where this picture is predominantly set. However, these plans fell through. However, background shots filming was shot on location by director Henry Hathaway in France, England and Germany according to editions of 'The Hollywood Reporter ' in January 1951 and March 1951.
This movie's main filming location was at Borrego Springs, San Diego County, California.
This movie utilized real black-and-white archival combat footage from the British documentary Desert Victory (1943).
Desmond Young questioned everyone " . . . from field marshals to Desert Rats". This is a reference to the nickname adopted by the British 7th Armoured Division of the "Desert Rats", derived from the jerboa image used as a unit badge. The term has been also applied to members of the British Eighth Army, though there is contention over their right to adopt this nickname.
All soldiers in the scenes of D-Day and thereafter are US troops, and most of the music heard (the exception is "The British Grenadiers") are tunes associated with the US military, providing a false impression that only US troops were involved in these operations.
Erwin Rommel was gaining his attack information from a British officer whose messages his staff had decoded. He used the data from the officer's messages to plan his attacks on the Allied troops.
Erwin Rommel was gaining his attack information from an American liaison at the British Embassy in Cairo whose messages the German secret service had decoded. He used the data from the liaison's messages to plan his attacks on the Allied troops, and in fact Adolf Hitler openly praised the fellow for giving the Germans information through his badly coded messages.
Goofs
Continuity: Narrator says Rommel was wounded June 17, 1944 the same day he met with Hitler. He later says he was wounded three days before the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt. He was wounded July 17th not as the narrator says June 17th. After the D-Day invasion, Rommel requests and gets a personal interview with Hitler for "June 17". Returning from meeting on "June 17", his car is strafed and overturns, severely injuring him (Rommel). Yet "three days later" it is "July 20".
Miscellaneous: In the opening raid scene, one of the German soldiers is seen briefly carrying an American Thompson submachine gun.
Factual errors: The opening scene states that a British submarine inserted a commando unit behind enemy lines; however what is shown is clearly an American Fleet Type submarine which did not operate in the Mediterranean.
Factual errors: Colonel Count von Stauffenberg, who planted the bomb that almost killed Hitler, is shown with an eye patch over his right eye. In fact he has lost his left eye.
Revealing mistakes: The scenes concerning the failed 20th July 1944 bomb plot to kill Hitler have a very obvious goof if you look properly. It's midsummer (July, 1944) and Hitler's military planners are shown apparently walking through the East Prussian woods to the building for their meeting with Hitler, where the bomb was to be planted below the table around which they would be assembled. It's midsummer and all the trees have no leaves on them whatsoever. Obviously this was filmed sometime between perhaps December and March and not July as portrayed.
Revealing mistakes: When depicting the D-Day invasion at Normandy, landing craft are shown approaching the beach at Iwo Jima. Mt.Surabachi is clearly seen, but the shot has been reversed (numbers on the bows of the landing craft are back to front) to make the location less evident.
Factual errors: During the scenes of the soldiers going ashore during the Normandy Invasion, the soundtrack plays the US Marines' Hymn. However, it was the Army that stormed the D-Day beaches, not the Marines.
Factual errors: Before the July 20 assassination attempt, Hitler is in the meeting room and asks where Goering is and he's told that Goering is on his way. However, Goering was not in attendance at the conference that day.
Revealing mistakes: When Rommel is on his walking tour of the "Atlantic Wall" there is a scene where he and his entourage are walking in front of a gun emplacement fronted with a slope covered with stone blocks. The faintly visible straight shadows indicate, however, that they are walking in front of a painted backdrop.
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): During the scene when Rommel has returned to Africa by plane after having nasal diphtheria and is being briefed by his staff. General Fritz Bayerlein (George Macready) is asked has there been any new supplies, tanks, guns? Rommel then asks "and no petrol at all?" Bayerlein answers "Not a pint!" His reply should have been "not a litre!" - Germany was, and still is, on the metric system.
Errors in geography: In shots of the battle of El Alamein, there is one of an anti-aircraft battery overlooking Tobruk Harbour, some distance from El Alamein.
Revealing mistakes: In a scene between Von Runstedt and Rommel, a man seen through the window in the background does not move at all, showing that it is a painted backdrop.
Anachronisms: Some have said the quote by Von Runstedt, "Victory had a hundred fathers, defeat is an orphan" is an anachronism. It is sometimes attributed including Count Galeazzo Ciano (Italian fascist politician, 1903 - 1944). It seems to have been a quote from his diary of 1942. Von Runstedt is unlikely to have quoted it as Ciano's diary was not published until 1946. However, this is a very ancient military saying that goes back to Roman times. It is sometimes attributed to Hannibal though there is no proof of him being the originator. A soldier as educated and able as Von Runstedt might well have been familiar with it.
Factual errors: In a clip, a long line of surrendered German soldiers is described as being the remnants of the Afrika Korps. The soldiers are wearing Wehrmacht uniforms used in Europe and not the distinctive Afrika Korps uniform.
Factual errors: When Rommel has returned to Africa and is being briefed by General Fritz Bayerlein, he is asked by Rommel "Who told you that?" Bayerlein answers "I talked to Rome three times in the past two days. There is no petrol on the way or any committed to us as of 10 o'clock last night!" His reply should have been "... as of 2200 hours last night!" Germany did not and does not use a 12 hour AM and PM clock. They use a 24 hour clock.
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In North Africa, Rommel asks whether any fuel has arrived. The officer replies, "Not a pint". No German would use "pint" instead of liter.
Errors in geography: During one of the Normandy Invasion scenes, the landing craft can be seen approaching an island with palms trees near the beach. The video is clearly from an operation in the Pacific Theater rather than the D-Day landings.
Revealing mistakes: During the opening scene where British commandos are raiding Rommel's headquarters at night, none of the automatic weapons being fired ejects any empty shell cases.
Filming Locations
Borrego Springs, California, USA (desert scenes)
Imperial County, California, USA
San Diego, California, USA
Stage 2, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
Trailer
