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The Desert Rats

They crawled their way across the blazing sands of Africa... to turn disaster into victory!

  • Movie
  • 1953
  • NR
  • 1h 28m

Directed by Robert Wise

6.3

TMDB audience rating
6.3 out of 10 from 106 votes

Where to watch Trailer

Overview

In North Africa, German Field Marshal Rommel and his troops have successfully fended off British forces, and now intend to take Tobruk, an important port city. A ramshackle group of Australian reinforcements sent to combat the Germans is put under the command of British Captain MacRoberts. The unruly Aussies immediately clash with MacRoberts, a gruff, strict disciplinarian, however this unorthodox team must band together to protect Tobruk from the German forces.

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Trailer

Play trailer: THE DESERT RATS(1953) Original Theatrical Trailer

Official video hosted on YouTube. The player loads only when you press play.

Cast and crew

  • Richard Burton

    Richard BurtonCaptain "Tammy" MacRoberts

  • James Mason

    James MasonField Marshal Erwin von Rommel

  • Robert Newton

    Robert NewtonTom Bartlett

  • Robert Douglas

    Robert DouglasGeneral

  • Torin Thatcher

    Torin ThatcherCol. Barney White

  • Chips Rafferty

    Chips RaffertySgt. "Blue" Smith

  • Charles Tingwell

    Charles TingwellLt. Harry Carstairs

  • Charles Davis

    Charles DavisPete

  • Ben Wright

    Ben WrightMick

  • Patrick Aherne

    Patrick AherneEnglish Officer (uncredited)

  • John Alderson

    John AldersonCorporal (uncredited)

  • Frank Baker

    Frank BakerBritish Officer (uncredited)

  • John BlackburnSergeant (uncredited)

  • Robert BoonGerman Lieutenant (uncredited)

  • Frederic BrunnGerman Gunner (uncredited)

  • Arthur BrunnerGerman Radio Man (uncredited)

  • Paul BuschGerman Orderly (uncredited)

  • Paul Cavanagh

    Paul CavanaghColonel (uncredited)

Director
Robert Wise
Writer
Richard Murphy
Music
Leigh Harline
Cinematography
Lucien Ballard