Overview
A small band of Australian soldiers stands resolute against the might of Rommel's forces in the North African desert.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- tense
- patriotic
- classic war film night
- military history viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an engaging and well-acted account of Tobruk, while noting historical inaccuracies and the minimized British contribution to the campaign.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Australian and British troops defend Tobruk while Rommel's forces press toward the Suez Canal.
The film emphasizes British and Australian courage in response to criticism that Allied contributions to the campaign had been minimized.
Captain MacRoberts leads daring raids intended to keep Rommel's forces off balance.
The Tobruk siege is staged across the Libyan Desert with dug-in troops, tank fire, and night fighting.
Films like The Desert Rats, and why
The Desert Fox
shared world war ii setting, desert warfare, military leadership, and action drama
Sahara
shared world war ii combat, beleaguered soldiers, historical warfare, and ensemble military drama
Tobruk
shared north african campaign, battlefield camaraderie, and grounded wartime action
The Longest Day
shared classic war-film storytelling, military sacrifice, and battlefield endurance
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Wise
- Release Date
- 1953-03-26
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (103)
Cast
- Richard Burton
- James Mason
- Robert Newton
- Robert Douglas
- Torin Thatcher
- Chips Rafferty
- Charles Tingwell
- Charles Davis
- Ben Wright
- Patrick Aherne
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Desert Rats about?
- An outnumbered Australian-led garrison wages a resourceful desert defense against Rommel during the siege of Tobruk.
- What is The Desert Rats like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Desert Rats as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Desert Rats violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Desert Rats as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Desert Rats?
- Critics broadly found the film an engaging and well-acted account of Tobruk, while noting historical inaccuracies and the minimized British contribution to the campaign.
- Which films are like The Desert Rats?
- Films with a similar feel include The Desert Fox, Sahara, Tobruk, and The Longest Day.
- How long is The Desert Rats?
- The Desert Rats runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Desert Rats?
- In United States, The Desert Rats is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
