Desert Legion (1953)

Paul Lartal of the Foreign Legion meets the princess of a lost city in the Algerian mountains.

Director:

Joseph Pevney

Writers:

Irving Wallace (screenplay), Lewis Meltzer (screenplay),

Stars:

Alan Ladd, Richard Conte, Arlene Dahl

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alan Ladd	...	Paul Lartal
Richard Conte	...	Crito Damou / Omar Ben Khalif
Arlene Dahl	...	Morjana
Akim Tamiroff	...	Pvt. Plevko
Oscar Beregi Sr.	...	Si Khalil (as Oscar Beregi)
Leon Askin	...	Maj. Vasil
Anthony Caruso	...	Lt. Massaoud
George J. Lewis	...	Lt. Lopez
Sujata	...	Dancer
Asoka	...	Dancer

Storyline

Paul Lartal leads a troop of legionnaires into ambush at the hands of Omar Ben Calif. Returning later at the request of Princess Morjana he is led to the hidden city of Madara, currently harrassed by the evil Crito. Lartal must do in the bad guys (which includes participating in a bare chested spear-throwing contest), save the city and comfort the Princess.

---

Plot Keywords:

foreign legion | lost city | dance number | stoning | bare chested male bondage | 

---

Taglines:

A RECKLESS LEGEND OF THE FOREIGN LEGION! (original print ad - all caps)

---

Genres:

Adventure

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Legionär der Sahara

Filming Locations:

Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a 1927 novel by Georges Arthur Surdez titled 'The Demon Caravan'. Surdez (1900-1949) contributed many "adventure" stories to such publications as 'Collier's', the 'Saturday Evening Post,' and 'Argosy.' He was especially noted for his French Foreign Legion tales.

---

Quotes

Crito Damou aka Omar Ben Khalif: [to Lt. Lopez] A brave and silent soldier. We shall see how long you can remain brave and silent.

User Reviews

Fair Enough

French Foreign Legion Captain Paul Lartal (Alan Ladd) travels to the hidden city of Madara in Northern Africa after a request for help he receives from local princess Morjana (Arlene Dahl). He met the woman under mysterious circumstances after his regiment suffered a deadly ambush at he hands of Omar Ben Calif's bandit gang. Lartel is convinced that Calif is in Madara under an undercover personality.

"Desert Legion" is an unpretentious adventure film with a fine cast, great color, acceptable settings and lots of action.

Alan Ladd doesn't add much to his carrier with his movie but it doesn't hurt it either. Arlene Dahl was made for Technicolor and plays her part fine. But perhaps the most interesting role is that of Richard Conte as Crito in one of the usual villain characters he played decently so often (no surprise there). The spears duel between Ladd and Conte is a highlight of the film most of all because of its originality back in 1953.

Light entertainment but enjoyable if you like adventure films.