Classic War Movies- Sahara (1943)

[ethanedwards]

SAHARA

DIRECTED BY ZOLTAN KORDA
COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION



Information From IMDb

Plot Summary
Sergeant Joe Gunn and his tank crew pick up five British soldiers, a Frenchman and a Sudanese man with an Italian prisoner crossing the Libyan Desert to rejoin their command after the fall of Tobruk. They and the Germans are greatly in need of water.
Written by Ed Stephan

Cast
Humphrey Bogart ... Sgt. Joe Gunn
Bruce Bennett ... Waco Hoyt
J. Carrol Naish ... Giuseppe
Lloyd Bridges ... Fred Clarkson
Rex Ingram ... Sgt. Major Tambul
Richard Nugent ... Capt. Jason Halliday
Dan Duryea ... Jimmy Doyle
Carl Harbord ... Marty Williams
Patrick O'Moore ... Osmond 'Ozzie' Bates
Louis Mercier ... Jean Leroux, 'Frenchie' (as Louis T. Mercier)
Guy Kingsford ... Peter Stegman
Kurt Kreuger ... Capt. von Schletow (as Kurt Krueger)
John Wengraf ... Maj. Von Falken
Louis Adlon ... Soldier (uncredited)
Niels Bagge ... German Private (uncredited)
Walter Bonn ... Soldier (uncredited)
Frederic Brunn ... German Private (uncredited)
Bill Carter ... Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Leslie Denison ... British Soldier (uncredited)
Michael Dyne ... British Soldier (uncredited)
Carl Ekberg ... Sniper (uncredited)
Jack Gardner ... British Soldier (uncredited)
Vilmos Gyimes ... Sergeant (uncredited)
Leyland Hodgson ... British Officer (uncredited)
Frank Lackteen ... Sheik Ali, Arab guide for the German column in the desert (uncredited)
Peter Lawford ... British Soldier (uncredited)
Nelson Leigh ... British Soldier (uncredited)
Anthony Marsh ... Soldier (uncredited)
John Meredith ... Soldier (uncredited)
George N. Neise ... British Sergeant (uncredited)
Otto Reichow ... German Captain (uncredited)
Henry Rowland ... German prisoner (killed by Sgt. Krause after their release) (uncredited)
John Royce ... Soldier (uncredited)
Hans Schumm ... Sgt. Krause (German prisoner who won't talk) (uncredited)
Robert R. Stephenson ... German Soldier (uncredited)
Walter Thiele ... Sniper (uncredited)
Frederick Worlock ... Radio newscaster (voice) (uncredited)

Writing credits
Philip MacDonald (story based on an incident in the Soviet Photoplay "The Thirteen")
John Howard Lawson (screenplay) and
Zoltan Korda (screenplay)
James O'Hanlon adaptation &
Sidney Buchman uncredited

Produced by
Harry Joe Brown .... producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Miklós Rózsa (as Miklos Rozsa)

Trivia
* The German aircraft strafing the tank was actually an early P-51B.

* Based upon the Soviet film Trinadtsat (1937) directed by Mikhail Romm

* "Lulubelle" is an M3 Lee tank.

Goofs
* Anachronisms: As in most of the films made about WWII before 1946. The German helmets are WWI vintage. They look somewhat similar. This movie, however, being made in 1942-43 would make it very difficult to obtain German WWII helmets.

Filming Locations
Brawley, California, USA
Eagle Pass, San Bernardino County, California, USA
Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
Southern California desert, Palm Springs, California, USA
Yuma, Arizona, USA

[ethanedwards]

Our member rooster250 mentioned this movie as a request,
so here it is.
I also considered this a great film.
Actually filmed during WW11,
Bogart, was at his very best in this solid war movie,
with a great supporting cast.
I remember whilst watching this film,
I was 'dying of thirst' such was it's credibility.

[rooster250]

the thing that sticks out to me in this film is that when the good guys are hit they dont show blood but when the germans are hit (at least the leader of the germans at the water hole) they showed blood I thought this was symbolism but I could be over thinking it, either way a great movie. thank you Keith for adding it to the list

[WaynamoJim]

Definitely one of my favorite war movies. I watch this every time it's on tv, even though I have the DVD already. Did anyone know that a remake of this was done sometime back in the late 80's I think. I've never seen it but, I'd like to just to compare. It stars Jim Belushi in the Bogart role.

[arthurarnell]

Hi

I vaguely remember the remake, like most of them they don't come up to the original.

Regards

Arthur

[DukePilgrim]

Original is a Great movie. Yes, there is a remake. Watched it for about 10 minutes before I realised it was Sahara. WHY do they do it?????

[The Ringo Kid]

This movie was what made Humphrey Bogart, a favorite of mine. He was very good as the tank Sergeant. Also, having Bruce Bennet and Dan Duryea as his crew-certainly does not hurt. Also, It was a pleasure to see a young Lloyd Bridges as a British Soldier. The German fighter pilot that they shot dows (Kurt Krueger) as a favorite German actor of mine. Kurt Krueger had lots of screen time in another great movie: The Enemy Below, w/ Robert Mitchum, Curt Jurgens and a young Doug McClure.

[The Ringo Kid]

One fo the so-called "Goofs" on the German helmets being WWI vintage--true to an extent but these in this film are TRANSITIONAL helmets which means--they WERE used in WWII. Just because you see German helmets with Gas mask lugs on the sides--does NOT mean they were M-16 or M18 lids.

[Gorch]

The John Belushi remake was a dud, but "Sahara" has previously been remade (unofficially) in 1953 as a western called "Last of the Comanches" starring Broderick Crawford.

It's actually pretty good, but doesn't measure up to the original.

We deal in lead, friend.

[Hawkswill]

This movie was what made Humphrey Bogart, a favorite of mine. He was very good as the tank Sergeant. Also, having Bruce Bennet and Dan Duryea as his crew-certainly does not hurt. Also, It was a pleasure to see a young Lloyd Bridges as a British Soldier. The German fighter pilot that they shot dows (Kurt Krueger) as a favorite German actor of mine. Kurt Krueger had lots of screen time in another great movie: The Enemy Below, w/ Robert Mitchum, Curt Jurgens and a young Doug McClure.

Just barely remember The Enemy Below. I was big on Submarine movies when I was young......can't imagine why since I am claustrophobic. Would love to see those old movies again. Will start looking. Loved Operation Pacific....of course Ward died WAY too soon for me, but he had to make way for his buddy DUKE to star! So, I will look for The Enemy Below tonight.

[ethanedwards]

Just barely remember The Enemy Below. I was big on Submarine movies when I was young......can't imagine why since I am claustrophobic. Would love to see those old movies again. Will start looking. Loved Operation Pacific....of course Ward died WAY too soon for me, but he had to make way for his buddy DUKE to star! So, I will look for The Enemy Below tonight.

The Enemy Below!!
ummmm, think that's a good one to review,
it will be done.

[Hawkswill]

Ah Keith, so you will be reviewing it? Don't suppose that means you know where you can find it to post for us to see does it? Didn't think so, darn. I am still DYING to see friend Tony in El Dorado. But, think I will have to find someone who has it cheap and buy it. Hope I find the movie before you review it, LOL. Keith