Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-11-25T08:53:12Z

robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

New page

{{Short description|1951 film by Henry Hathaway}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Desert Fox
| image = The Desert Fox poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical poster
| director = [[Henry Hathaway]]
| screenplay = [[Nunnally Johnson]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Rommel: The Desert Fox]]''|[[Desmond Young (British Army officer)|Desmond Young]]}}
| producer = Nunnally Johnson
| starring = {{ubl|[[James Mason]]|[[Cedric Hardwicke]]|[[Jessica Tandy]]}}
| narrator = [[Michael Rennie]]
| cinematography = [[Norbert Brodine]]
| editing = [[James B. Clark (director)|James B. Clark]]
| music = [[Daniele Amfitheatrof]]
| color_process = [[Black and white]]
| studio = [[20th Century Fox]]
| distributor = 20th Century Fox
| released = {{Film date|1951|10|17}}
| runtime = 88 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $2.4 million (US rentals)<ref>'The Top Box Office Hits of 1951', ''Variety'', January 2, 1952</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com.au/books?id=WIZwZOz8LHsC&pg=PA212&lpg=PA212&dq=aubrey+solomon+20th+century+fox&source=bl&ots=FKmAn2szCi&sig=b7skIRQNZ1P88Dic6zd6VYPfHFU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjUmaSf4t3NAhVRxWMKHb_lAFUQ6AEINDAF#v=onepage&q=aubrey%20solomon%2020th%20century%20fox&f=false Aubrey Solomon, ''Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History'' Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 p 223]</ref>
}}

'''''The Desert Fox''''' is a 1951 American [[biographical film|biographical]] [[war film]] from [[20th Century Fox]] about the role of German [[Field Marshal]] [[Erwin Rommel]] in [[World War II]]. It stars [[James Mason]] in the title role, was directed by [[Henry Hathaway]], and was based on the book ''[[Rommel: The Desert Fox]]'' by Brigadier [[Desmond Young (British Army officer)|Desmond Young]], who served in the [[British Indian Army]] in North Africa.

The movie played a significant role in the creation of the [[Rommel myth]]: that Rommel was an apolitical, brilliant commander, opposed Nazi policies and was a victim of the [[Third Reich]] because of his participation in the conspiracy to remove [[Adolf Hitler]] from power in 1944.<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Erwin_J_E_Rommel/_v1bAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Rommel%20removal%20of%20Hitler%20from%20power Rice, Earle. ''Erwin J. E. Rommel''. New York: Infobase Learning/Chelsea House, 2013.]</ref>

The black and white format facilitates the spreading of large sections of actual documentary footage of war action etc. throughout the film. Finnish president and [[Marshal of Finland|Field Marshal]] [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim's]] personal [[Mercedes-Benz 770]], a gift received from Adolf Hitler, was used as a prop car in the during the film's shooting and appears.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-29 |title=Hitlerin lahja Mannerheimille pysyi visusti piilossa 30 vuotta – suomalainen autofani löysi upean Mersun jenkeistä ja luikahti kyytiin |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9580280 |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref>

==Plot==
In November 1941 a [[Commandos (United Kingdom)|British commando]] unit deploys from a submarine off the North African coast. Its mission is to [[Operation Flipper|raid the headquarters]] of [[German Field Marshal]] [[Erwin Rommel]] and assassinate the “Desert Fox”. There are heavy casualties on both sides, but Rommel is not among them. He is recovering from [[diphtheria|nasal diphtheria]] in a hospital in Germany.

A phone call from [[Adolf Hitler]] promptly returns him to his [[Afrika Corps]] command, with the British [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|Eighth Army]] under General [[Bernard Montgomery]] poised to counterattack the [[Axis powers|Axis]] forces in the [[second Battle of El Alamein]]. Without adequate supplies, weapons, fuel, or men, Rommel is ordered by Hitler to hold fast and fight to the last man. He questions the outrageous directive, initially attributing it to the “clowns“ surrounding Hitler in Berlin, and demands it be re-transmitted again. Receiving the same message, he crumples it with the intention of disregarding the command.

Rommel again falls ill and is returned to Germany, where he is hospitalized. An old family friend, Dr. [[Karl Strölin]], [[Lord Mayor]] of [[Stuttgart]], visits him to request he join a group of dissidents plotting to overthrow Hitler. Rommel strongly resists.

After his recuperation, Rommel is transferred to Western Europe, where he is placed in charge of completing the [[Atlantic Wall]]. After inspection, he realizes its defenses are in adequate to protect against an [[Allies|Allied]] invasion. He and his superior, Field Marshal [[Gerd von Rundstedt]], are handicapped by Hitler's [[astrology]]-based belief that the real invasion will come at [[Calais]]. As a result, the June 6, 1944 Allied “D-Day” landing at [[Normandy landings|Normandy]] is successful, and a broad [[beachhead]] is secured. Hitler then compounds his error by refusing to release troops and tanks desperately needed to halt the Allies, and again forbids an orderly retreat to set up a strong defense.

Rommel then risks broaching the topic of a conspiracy against Hitler with von Rundstedt. The older man refuses to commit, but wishes Rommel success with the [[20 July plot|plot]], indicating he expects Rommel to be named his successor within 24 hours.

Immediately after, Rommel is seriously injured when his staff car is strafed by an Allied plane; once again he spends an extended recuperation at home.

On July 20 Colonel [[Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg|Claus von Stauffenberg]] plants a bomb at Hitler's feet during a meeting of the [[general staff]] at the [[Wolf's Lair]]. It detonates with severe casualties, but Hitler survives. Thousands suspected of complicity in the attack are tracked down and executed.

An official silence surrounds Rommel, but evidence of his secret participation is gathered. Soon after, General [[Wilhelm Burgdorf]] is sent by Hitler to charge Rommel with treason, instructed to offer the beloved national hero a choice between sure conviction, destruction of his reputation, and death by [[garrote]], or an immediate but painless suicide (with his passing attributed to cumulative war wounds), along with the promise that his wife and son will be well looked after. The veiled threat to their welfare should Rommel insist on a public trial, cinches his decision.

He vids a stoic farewell to his wife, who promises to explain the choice to their son, Rommel, then climbs into a staff car to meet his fate en route to Berlin.

A voiceover of an actor reciting a speech British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] delivered to the House of Commons in praise of Rommel for his chivalry in battle, tactical genius, and courageous stance against Hitler leads to the credits.

==Cast==
{{Div col}}
* [[James Mason]] as [[Field Marshal]] [[Erwin Rommel|Erwin Johannes Rommel]]
* [[Sir Cedric Hardwicke|Cedric Hardwicke]] as [[Karl Strölin|Dr. Karl Strölin]]
* [[Jessica Tandy]] as Frau Lucie Rommel
* [[Luther Adler]] as [[Adolf Hitler]]
* [[Everett Sloane]] as [[General]] [[Wilhelm Burgdorf]]
* [[Leo G. Carroll]] as Field Marshal [[Gerd von Rundstedt]]
* [[George Macready]] as General [[Fritz Bayerlein]]
* [[Richard Boone]] as Captain Hermann Aldinger
* [[Eduard Franz]] as Colonel [[Claus von Stauffenberg]]
* [[Desmond Young (British Army officer)|Desmond Young]] as Lt. Col. Desmond Young
* [[Michael Rennie]] Narrator
* [[Paul Cavanagh]] as [[Caesar von Hofacker|Lt. Col. Caesar von Hofacker]] (uncredited)
{{Div col end}}

==Production==
The film was based on a book by
British army officer and North African Campaign veteran [[Desmond Young (British Army officer)|Desmond Young]] (a Lt. colonel whose life was effectively personally spared by Rommel's insistence on military law being scrupulously adhered to, depicted early in the film) that sold some 175,000 copies in Britain.<ref name="fox">Appealing Script Wins Helen Hayes for Film
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 28 Jan 1951: D4.</ref><ref>Books--Authors
New York Times 26 Sep 1950: 29.</ref>

In February 1950, even before the book was published, it was announced [[Nunnally Johnson]] of [[20th Century Fox|Fox]] was leading the negotiations to obtain the film rights to the book. Johnson would write and produce and [[Kirk Douglas]] was the first star mentioned.<ref>Drama: 'Tender Hours' Speeded; Kent Taylor Aissigned; 'Bulls' Leads Chosen
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 14 Feb 1950: B5.</ref><ref>MEL FERRER GETS LEAD AT COLUMBIA: Studio Assigns Him to 'Brave Bulls,' With Eugene Iglesias Playing Younger Brother Seeks 'Rights' to "Rommel"
By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 14 Feb 1950: 29.</ref><ref>PRODUCER AT BAY: Nunnally Johnson Scans Varied Film Matters Challenge Exception Paging Youth
By THOMAS M. PRYOR. New York Times 26 Feb 1950: X5.</ref>

Johnson eventually made the film as the first part of his new five-year contract with Fox.<ref>Second O'Malley-Malone Film Set; Five-Year Pact Seals Nunnally Johnson
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 Oct 1950: B7.</ref> He normally took ten weeks to write a script but said this one took him eight months because it was so complex, and involved many people who were still alive. While writing it he says the British were generally positive (Rommel had a very high reputation in Britain) but there was some controversy in the US about a Hollywood studio making a sympathetic biography about a German general.<ref name="fox"/><ref>Johnson p 294</ref>

Johnson later said, "If Rommel hadn't been involved in the plot against Hitler, this screenplay wouldn't have been written. Circumstances allowed Rommel to be a pretty good fellow because there were no civilians involved in the North Africa campaigns. I have tried to write the script with detachment. There is no effort to solicit sympathy for him, except in the final sequence. There are the circumstances as he says goodbye to his wife and son to go to his death [which] would undoubtedly create sympathy for any man. Rommel was a very limited man intellectually. His problem was a conflict of loyalties. He followed a false god and when he found that out he risked being a traitor."<ref name="nun">HOLLYWOOD'S SHIFTING SANDS: A KU KLUX KLAN EXPOSE AND A ROMANTIC COMEDY
By THOMAS F. BRADY. New York Times 25 Feb 1951: 93.</ref>

In January 1951 [[Henry Hathaway]], who had signed to direct, left to shoot [[second unit]] footage in Germany and North Africa. [[Richard Widmark]] was being talked about as a possible Rommel.<ref>Drama: Barry Sullivan Legal Rival of Pidgeon; Rommel March Scheduled Here
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 15 Jan 1951: A11.</ref>

In February 1951, [[James Mason]] signed to play Rommel.<ref>PROTEST IS LODGED ON HOPE G.I. SHOW: Chanute Field's Admission Fee for 'Free' Entertainment Is Decried by Film Group
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 3 Feb 1951: 20.</ref> Mason's career had been on a downward slide since he moved to the US from Britain and he had lobbied [[Darryl F Zanuck]] to play the role and was so keen to do it he agreed to sign a long-term contract with Fox, to make one film a year for seven years.<ref>English Stars Thrive Happily in Unusual Marital Melange
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 6 May 1951: E1.</ref>

The movie was one of the first to use a {{clarify|text=[[pre-credit sequence]].|date=November 2022}}<ref>Johnson p. 296-306</ref>

==Reception==
The film was very popular in Britain, despite scattered protests.{{why|date=November 2022}}<ref>NOTED ON THE LONDON SCREEN SCENE: Film Circles View New Ministry With Gloom -- Other Matters Production Notes Fox Footnotes Speed-Up
By STEPHEN WATTS. New York Times 18 Nov 1951: X5.</ref>

==Role in Rommel myth==
{{Main|Rommel myth}}

The movie played a significant role in the [[Rommel myth]], a view that the Field Marshal was an apolitical, brilliant commander. From 1941, it was picked up and disseminated in the West by the British press, as it sought to explain its continued inability to defeat the Axis forces in North Africa.

After the war, the Western Allies, and particularly the British, depicted Rommel as the "good German" and "our friend Rommel". His reputation for conducting a clean war was used for the [[Wiederbewaffnung|West German rearmament]] as well as reconciliation between the former enemies – Britain and the United States on one side and the new Federal Republic on the other.{{sfn|Major|2008|p=520-535}}

They portrayed Rommel sympathetically, as a loyal, humane soldier and a firm opponent of Hitler's policies. The movie plays up Rommel's role in the conspiracy against Hitler{{sfn|Chambers|2022}} but leaves Rommel's early association with the dictator largely implied. Critical and public reception in the US was muted, but the movie was a success in Britain, along with a less-known 1953 movie, ''[[The Desert Rats (film)|The Desert Rats]]'', in which Mason resumed his portrayal of Rommel.{{sfn|Caddick-Adams|2012|p=481}}

The movie proved one of the suitable tools for the reconciliation among the former enemies. British popular knowledge at that time focused on the reconstruction of the fighting in that theatre of war, almost to the exclusion of all others.{{citation needed|reason=This is a sweeping claim, out on a skinny branch as stated and cited, implying the “desert campaign“ when using the term “theater of war“ which more appropriately applies to a much larger context.|date=November 2022}} ''The Desert Fox'' helped in creating an image of the German army that would be acceptable to the British public.{{sfn|Major|2008|p=521}}

The film received nearly-universally positive reviews in Britain, but protests at the movie theatres broke out in Vienna and Milan. [[Basil Liddell Hart]], who later edited Rommel's wartime writings into the 1953 book ''The Rommel Papers'', watched the movie with other high-ranking British officers, and reported being {{clarify|text="pleasantly surprised".|reason= by what, the protests in Vienna and Milan, or some thing about the movie itself? Both these matters need to be clarified.|date=November 2022}}{{sfn|Major|2008|p=525}}

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|last=Caddick-Adams|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Caddick-Adams|title=Monty and Rommel: Parallel Lives|location=New York, NY | publisher=The Overlook Press|year=2012|isbn=9781590207253}}
* {{cite web
| website=Reuters
| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-germany-rommel-idUSBRE8A00RM20121101
| title = The Devil's General? German film seeks to debunk Rommel myth
| author =Chambers, Madeline
| date = 2012
| access-date = 8 February 2016
| ref = {{harvid|Chambers|2022}}
}}
*{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/recollectionsofn00john|title=Recollections of Nunnally Johnson oral history transcript|last=Johnson|first= Nunnally|publisher=University of California Oral History Program|year=1969}}
*{{Cite journal
|last=Major
|first=Patrick
|author-link =Patrick Major
|journal=German History
|volume= 26
|issue= 4
|year=2008
|title='Our Friend Rommel': The Wehrmacht as 'Worthy Enemy' in Postwar British Popular Culture
|publisher=Oxford University Press
|doi =10.1093/gerhis/ghn049
|pages=520–535
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* {{AllMovie title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Operation Overlord}}
{{Henry Hathaway}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Desert Fox, The}}
[[Category:1951 films]]
[[Category:1951 war films]]
[[Category:1950s biographical films]]
[[Category:American war films]]
[[Category:American biographical films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about military leaders]]
[[Category:Films based on biographies]]
[[Category:North African campaign films]]
[[Category:Western Front of World War II films]]
[[Category:Operation Overlord films]]
[[Category:Films about the 20 July plot]]
[[Category:Films set in 1941]]
[[Category:Films set in 1942]]
[[Category:Films set in 1943]]
[[Category:Films set in 1944]]
[[Category:Films set in Germany]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Erwin Rommel]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Adolf Hitler]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Henry Hathaway]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Nunnally Johnson]]
[[Category:Films scored by Daniele Amfitheatrof]]
[[Category:American World War II films]]
[[Category:1950s English-language films]]
[[Category:1950s American films]]

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel - Revision history

Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.