The Desert Fox: does it capture the real Rommel?

[Timmy_Lea]

The Desert Fox: does it capture the real Rommel? | Film | guardian.co.uk

[TimR]

It does steer clear of the complexity of Rommel's life and career. His move away from Hitler as he wrestled with his conscience - and the very high price he paid at the end - would still make outstanding drama, but the early years - decades - would have to be addressed in detail in any new presentation. He was an impressive and complicated man, and would make an excellent subject for a full-scale series. I think that is also true of Wilhelm Canaris.

But The Desert Fox was released only a few years after the war. It is really more of a melodrama than a drama. I don't think James Mason was well cast at all, but he is not my favorite anyway. Nevertheless, it is exciting and well made.

Curt Jurgens would have been ideal in the role. He did a fine job as Ernst Udet in The Devil's General. Paul Scofield would have been my choice among British actors. I can't imagine who would play him now.

[batman]

I think that is also true of Wilhelm Canaris.

I recently watched an excellent US documentary about Canaris. He was indeed a complex and fascinating man, who also paid the ultimate price for his crisis of conscience. I can't recall a film specifically about Canaris, although he has featured in a variety of films and TV programmes about the German resistance.

[TimR]

I recently watched an excellent US documentary about Canaris. He was indeed a complex and fascinating man, who also paid the ultimate price for his crisis of conscience. I can't recall a film specifically about Canaris, although he has featured in a variety of films and TV programmes about the German resistance.

The best in my opinion is a series called Hitler's Generals, made by our Discovery World Channel in the late 90s. Canaris is one of the five choices, along with Rommel, Udet, von Paulus and von Manstein. Definitely worth seeing.

[Heinrich]

The best in my opinion is a series called Hitler's Generals, made by our Discovery World Channel in the late 90s. Canaris is one of the five choices, along with Rommel, Udet, von Paulus and von Manstein. Definitely worth seeing.

The narrator insisted on pronouncing von Manstein "von Munchteen" despite the proper pronunciation being used by witnesses throughout the program.
As for James Mason's portrayal of Rommel, he certainly looked the part although I cannot remember ever seeing the movie. I tend to steer clear of dramatizations in favor of history books and documentaries.

[batman]

The best in my opinion is a series called Hitler's Generals, made by our Discovery World Channel in the late 90s. Canaris is one of the five choices, along with Rommel, Udet, von Paulus and von Manstein. Definitely worth seeing.

Thanks Tim ... I'll keep an eye out for that one.

[Heinrich]

Thanks Tim ... I'll keep an eye out for that one.

That wont be hard; they show these same shows at least once at least once a week

[batman]

That wont be hard; they show these same shows at least once at least once a week

It will be hard for me ..... I can't get the Discovery World Channel.

[Heinrich]

It will be hard for me ..... I can't get the Discovery World Channel.

Not to worry, this is a better program than Hitler's Generals and the narrator at least knows how to pronounce his name properly.
It is from the series Hitler's Warriors:

[woody123]

I've always thought Nicholas Jones (Jeremy Aldermarton in Kavanagh QC)would make a good RommelJonesN.jpgpebcd001_erwin_rommel.jpg