Richard Burton plays a Scottish Army officer put in charge of a disparate band of ANZAC troops on the perimeter of Tobruk with the German Army doing their best to dislodge them.
Jay Pharoah learns how to perform a military choke hold from actor and former Army soldier, Zulay Henao.
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Title: The Desert Rats (1953)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Richard Burton | ... | Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts | |
| James Mason | ... | Field Marshal Erwin Rommel | |
| Robert Newton | ... | Tom Bartlett | |
| Robert Douglas | ... | General | |
| Torin Thatcher | ... | Col. Barney White | |
| Chips Rafferty | ... | Sgt. 'Blue' Smith | |
| Charles 'Bud' Tingwell | ... | Lt. Harry Carstairs (as Charles Tingwell) | |
 |
Charles Davis | ... | Pete |
| Ben Wright | ... | Mick | |
Learn more
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Rommel has the British in retreat on his way to the Suez Canal. All that stands in his way is Tobruk, held by a vastly out numbered force of Australian troops. Richard Burton leads these troops on daring raids against Rommel, keeping him off balance as they earn the nickname 'The Desert Rats'. Written by Derek Picken <dpicken@email.msn.com>
Taglines:
The Desert Demons Who Stopped Rommel, The Desert Fox! See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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(1895) (uncredited)
Original music by Christina Macpherson (1895)
(Based on the Scottish tune "Craigielee", music by James Barr, with words by Robert Tannahill)
Revised music by Marie Cowan (1903)
Lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (1895)
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Richard Burton, who was born in Wales but usually used an English accent in films, was generally felt to be miscast as a Scot. See more »Goofs
When MacRoberts' wound is being treated, it appears high up on the left arm, near the shoulder. Two scenes later, the bandage is lower down on the bicep and the wound that would have been exposed is nowhere to be seen. See more »Crazy Credits
Opening credits prologue: 1941 LIBYAN DESERT NORTH AFRICA See more »Connections
Spoofed in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy (1989) See more »Soundtracks
Waltzing Matilda(1895) (uncredited)
Original music by Christina Macpherson (1895)
(Based on the Scottish tune "Craigielee", music by James Barr, with words by Robert Tannahill)
Revised music by Marie Cowan (1903)
Lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (1895)
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
See more »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
20 May 1953 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Desert Rats See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,320,000 (estimated)Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1Contribute to This Page
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In 1941, during the World War II, Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel (James Mason) tries to conquer the city of Tobruk in Libya and the British battalion defends this location to avoid Rommel to reach the Suez Canal. The young, but experienced British Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts (Richard Burton) leads a limited number of inexperienced Australian troops in the defense of Tobruk, and uses raids during the night against Rommel forces to keep the balance between the strong German army and the reduced British-Australian forces, and MacRoberts' troops are called "The Desert Rats". "The Desert Rats" is a very realistic war movie, presenting strategies, battles, action scenes and a great duel between James Mason and Richard Burton. I am not sure whether Robert Wise used footage of some real battle scenes along the film, since the realism in the black and white photography is amazing and sometimes it looks like a documentary. There are also excellent lines between Richard Burton and James Mason, and Richard Burton and Robert Newton, in the role of the former teacher of MacRoberts. "The Desert Rats" is a highly recommended movie. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Ratos do Deserto" ("Desert Rats")