Sahara

A U.S. tank crew and their commander (Humphrey Bogart), separated from the main force, make their way through the desert, accumulating a veritable United Nations of stragglers as they go: a few of Montgomery's tommies (including that old limey Lloyd Bridges) and a towering African (Rex Ingram) and his prisoner--a garrulous Italian (Oscar-nominated J. Carrol Naish) who can't wait to tell his new friends about his relatives in "Peets-a-bourg Pennsylvania." They come upon a ruin, the onetime site of an oasis, and almost immediately find themselves defending it against a small army of Germans who believe there's still water to be had there. Yes and no--there's a biblical wrinkle to this tale--and the standoff between the polyglot democrats and the Nazis who far outnumber them is a fine, sun-baked study in suspense.

For Bogart, this Columbia picture was a rare furlough from Warner Bros., where he always felt embattled. His pleasure must have seeped into his work, because Sgt. Joe Gunn is one of the most sympathetic and heartfelt characterizations the actor ever gave us. This is one good movie. --Richard T. Jameson

As the war effort continued Hollywood began to use the power of their stars with patriotic themes, against all odds stories to give Americans and the world hope for victory.

Warner Brothers having the greatest stable of stars lent the services of Humphrey Bogart to Columbia Pictures for the making of the Classic Desert War story "Sahara".

This movie had a great ensemble cast which included a very young Llyod Bridges, Bruce Bennett, J. Carrol Naish and Dan Duryea. Filmed in the Mojave Desert near the great Salton Sea in Southern California. The filmed was endorsed by the War Department and the extras were supplied by the United States Army (playing the Germans, Americans and Allies).

"SAHARA" became Columbia Pictures top grossing film of 1943 at a whopping $2.3 million and a very effective propaganda war vehicle.

Summary: Sgt Joe Gunn (Bogart) a WWII tank Commander and his crew (Bennett & Duryea) are surrounded by Germans in the Sahara desert. Their only escape is south into the desert with only their tank "Lullabelle". The race is against time, finding gas, water & their allies before the Germans find them.

This DVD quality is outstanding !! (remasterd video & audio.) FullScreen (before Widescreen) and Black/White presentation. Extras include a picture montage of original lobby poster art, trailers from other WWII movies and star film chronoligies.

This is a "WWII Sleeper Classic Bogart Film". Bogart is a master craftsman, an American Icon Hero. You become very attached to this cast of desert marooned characters in a grand story about unsummountable odds and the pure devoted attitude to succeed!! Enjoy.


'An all round clasic'   August 3, 2000
Warren V Thoms (Wulkuraka, Queensland Australia)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I would have to say that this 1943 classic rates in my top 3 war films of all time. The acting, script, filming and soundtrack is superb. 'Sahara' tells the story of a mixed allied unit seperated from its own armies by the advancing German forces in the North African campaign of World War 2. Their desperate struggle for freedom turns into a fight for survival as they endure the many familiar (and not so familiar) hardships of war. In the seemingly endless search of desert wells, Bogart's 'small army' unwillingly stumble across the path a German Motorized unit whos interests in water is as desperate as its enemies. What transpires is a life and death decision which will leave you on the edge of your seat. A must see for any war film enthusiast.


AN ECLECTIC ENSEMBLE CAST REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ALLIED WAR EFFORT AND PERSPECTIVE   November 19, 2006
Heather L. Parisi (Pekin, IN USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

IN A NUTSHELL: A WORLD WAR II ACTION EPIC FILMED DURING THE WAR

This is an fictionalized action war film starring Humphrey Bogart set in the Sahara during the Desert War in 1942. With a great deal of emotional, ideological, and personality components blended into the story, the audience too is drawn into this against-all-odds adventure with the vaunted "Afrika Corps."

WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT:

The British 8th Army has just been dealt a decisive blow by the Axis and they are broadcasting the order for a "general retreat." Among those hearing the bad news is Sergeant Joe Gunn [Humphrey Bogart], a rare American already on station near Tobruk and in command of a very campy looking M3 [General Lee] Medium Tank.

-----> THE M3 'GENERAL LEE' MEDIUM TANK IS AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER IN "SAHARA"

I could go right off on a tangent here and discuss the amazing evolution in tank design that led to this very unusual-looking but capable medium tank that was the immediate precursor of the universal and more conventional "Sherman Tank" which has been accurately depicted in literally every World War II film, except this one. Nevertheless, the unusual design of the M3 tank was probably deliberate, as it mirrored the rather unusual configuration of the ensemble cast that ultimately operated in and around this high-profiled military vehicle. In the end, the M3, like the international cast, shows itself to be superior both to the Master Race itself and its "superior" machinery.

"SAHARA" IS A FICTIONALIZED ACCOUNT, BUT A REPRESENTATIVE ONE:

It is true that Sergeant Gunn did not really win the battle of El-Alamein, but what happened to them was a kind of microcosm, in spirit, of the actual climactic battle in the desert. "Sahara" is a sort of myth or fictionalized legend about how a band of men from diverse backgrounds joined together for a common cause to defeat an awesomely-powerful foe, just like the multinational Allied war effort that was the key to the Allied victory in World War II.


-----> THE CAST <-----

Humphrey Bogart - Sgt. Joe Gunn
Bruce Bennett - Waco Hoyt
Lloyd Bridges - Fred Clarkson
Rex Ingram - Sgt. Tambul
J. Carrol Naish - Giuseppe
Dan Duryea - Jimmy Doyle
Richard Nugent - Capt. Jason Halliday
Pat O'Moore - Ozzie Bates
Louis Mercier - Jean Leroux
Carl Harbord - Marty Williams
Guy Kingsford - Peter Stegman
John Wengraf - Maj. von Falken
Hans Schumm - Sgt. Krause

-----> THE PRODUCTION CREW <-----

Zoltan Korda - Director / Screenwriter
Harry Joe Brown - Producer
John Howard Lawson - Screenwriter
Philip MacDonald - Short Story Author
James O'Hanlon - Screenwriter
Rudolph Maté - Cinematographer
Miklos Rozsa - Composer (Music Score)
Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision
Charles Nelson - Editor
Lionel Banks - Art Director
Eugène Lourié - Art Director
William Kiernan - Set Designer
Lodge Cunningham - Sound/Sound Designer
Abby Berlin - First Assistant Director



Bogie in top form, one of the most thrilling films of genre.   June 28, 1999
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Sahara proves that propaganda wins minds not bombs and guns. This film combines beautifiully coreographed action with gut-wrenching dialog. The mis-matched group of Allied soldiers come together to overcome their natural fears and misconceptions about eachother. And in doing so, highlight what World War II's ultimate achievement namely the unity of human endeavor when faced with a common task. Although a propaganda film, Korda directs a study of human character often lost in other films of the era. Bogart is fantastic as Sgt. Joe Gunn (from)"nowhere, just the Army" as he puts it. Look for LLoyd Bridges in his first film. This film is highly recommended not just for its war action but for its excellent acting, direction and realistic script. And the coreography of the guns firing, bombs exploding is a symphony of sound and power. There is no glory in war only in the efforts and sacrifices of those involved. Sahara shows the absurdity of war and extra human effort that some men rise to when called upon.


Bogey's Best.   March 28, 2002
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Bogart should have gotten an Oscar for
Sahara. His portrayal of the Captain
in The Caine Mutiny, was good, but the
Sargeant in Sahara, is ten times better.
The DVD's sound and picture quality is
excellent. The film is in Black and
White and as such, compliments the
story line. If anyone tries to Colorize
Sahara, they'll ruin it.