The Desert: North Africa - 1940-1943 (19 Dec. 1973)

In 1940 Mussolini deploys a massive army to invade British held Egypt, to capture the Suez Canal and most of all to establish an Italian empire to rival Germany's. So begins a multi-year ... See full summary »

Writer:

Peter Batty

Stars:

Laurence Olivier, David Belchem, Winston Churchill

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Laurence Olivier	...	Himself - Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Belchem	...	Himself (as Gen. David Belchem)
Winston Churchill	...	Himself (archive footage)
Paola Colacicchi	...	Himself - Italian Army
Francis de Guingand	...	Himself (as Gen. Sir Francis De Guingard)
Lawrence Durrell	...	Himself
Field Marshal Lord Harding	...	Himself - Commander, 7th Armoured Division
Richard O'Connor	...	Himself (as Gen. Sir Richard O'Connor)
Erwin Rommel	...	Himself (archive footage)
Siegfried Westphal	...	Himself

Storyline

In 1940 Mussolini deploys a massive army to invade British held Egypt, to capture the Suez Canal and most of all to establish an Italian empire to rival Germany's. So begins a multi-year campaign over a meaningless stretch of desert involving forces from a dozen nations and characterized by persistent attackers, stubborn defenders and ultimately controlled by supply line challenges.

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Plot Keywords:

desert | supply line | luftwaffe | field marshal montgomery | italian flag | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History | War

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1973 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

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