Les diables du désert

Sea of Sand ( Desert Patrol ) is seldom mentioned in the context of great British war movies but deserves to be since it is an underrated and well acted example of the genre ( and, incidentally, one of my favourite films ). The movie at one and the same time, conforms to the familiar aspects of the genre but also manages to put a 'spin' on them since the subject matter - the experiences of the volunteer Long-Range Desert Squadron who operated independently far behind enemy lines - allows for characters who are more than familiar war-movie stereotypes.

The cast are uniformally excellent, especially veteran character player Percy Herbert whose death scene is extremely moving. Clashes of class, rank and experience are familiar elements from other films of the genre but are here rendered a little more interesting and unpredictable. Director Guy Green never made his mark but on the evidence of Sea of Sand had plenty of talent and was good at getting the most out of his actors. Simple heroics are eschewed - though heroism is at the core of the film's denouement and anyone who derives pleasure from seeing British acting staples like Michael Craig, John Gregson, Richard Attenborough and Percy Herbert have a treat in store.

Excellent acting. Tight script. Good cast. Good range of characters. Humour in the face of adversity. Germans speaking German! Plenty of realistic action. Long film but far from boring!

SEA OF SAND is, unsurprisingly, another North African WW2 movie. Although they made literally dozens of such productions over the years, I never get tired of them as they have such great backdrops against which to present war-time action. This one's a very typical piece from the period, filled with a kind of brisk efficiency which goes hand-in-hand with the no-nonsense British cast.

The story follows the misadventures of a team of British soldiers sent behind enemy lines to blow up a fuel depot. They end discovering a massive depot of tanks ready to strike against Allied forces and, with their radio out, they must return to their own side to spread word of their discovery. The only problem is that the Nazi forces are well aware of this, sending soldiers out in pursuit.

SEA OF SAND is an admirably tough movie. There's little room for sentiment here, just necessity of getting the job done. The ensemble cast is fine with Michael Craig and John Gregson particularly standing out and more minor parts for the likes of Richard Attenborough (surprisingly underutilised in a comic part), Barry Foster, Ray McAnally, and Percy Herbert. I was delighted to spot an uncredited Dermot Walsh playing the guy who sends the team on their mission. It's solid stuff, at times exciting, heroic, tragic, and harrowing.

I am very prejudiced here as my Dad served out in the Western Desert with his courageous RNF comrades under such harsh conditions that few today can even begin to understand. I cannot speak for my Dad but I firmly believe that he would have liked much of this film (so that's why I like it for starters) whilst being very polite about its failings with his wry grin and a knowing glint in the eye. Its strengths are good characters who all play their parts in a story that does have you willing them on and on in their battle against the Nazi baddies, the unforgiving Sun and the relentless sand. Richard Attenborough is particularly excellent throughout, as is Percy Herbert when playing a solo part in one of the Fifties greatest short war scenes. If all directors were made to study this scene they could learn much, but what do I know! Thank goodness the film is still shown in black and white and this should always remain so. I liked this film so I say to all old fogeys and inquisitive but sensible youngsters just give it a watch and enjoy the film for what it is. The LRDG were incredibly brave men.

Although he has a supporting role Richard Attenborough is top billed in Desert Patrol, a story of a group of men who operated behind Rommel's lines disrupting his supplies and communications. Watching this I learned where the American television series Rat Patrol originated from though this film is a lot better than that series.

The big push is on. Field Marshal Montgomery armed with the plan that his predecessor Field Marshal Auchinleck drew up is finally on the offensive against Rommel at El Alamein. This group has drawn a mission to destroy as many known German ammunition and fuel dumps as possible and make it back to report. That part is essential too, they have to know in Cairo just how much damage has been inflicted.

Heading one such patrol are Captains John Gregson and Michael Craig with Attenborough along. He's hardly a king and country volunteer, but he shows he has the right stuff.

They blow up their assigned fuel dump, but at a price. They've got a 100 miles to get back to their camp. El Alamein because of the wide Sahara desert terrains may have been the largest battle ever fought with rivalries being on the Russian front in the same war. In the end some don't make it.

Percy Herbert as one of the men is most outstanding as a wounded man who stands to make his own fight so his mates may live.

Very good World War II flick from the United Kingdom with minimal flag waving and lots of real heroics.