Sahara

Rating:
Summary: A classic war film from WW II
Review: In 1942 Humphrey Bogart had finally become a major star. After accidentally establishing himself as a leading man in HIGH SIERRA, and the unexpected brilliance of THE MALTESE FALCON, his star turn in CASABLANCA proved that these two prior successes were not flukes and that Bogart was the real deal. SAHARA was, therefore, the first film to be released after Bogart had become Bogart. In the aftermath of December 7, 1941, the studios turned out a plethora of war films in an attempt to rally public opinion in support of the war (as if that were necessary). Most of these films are forgettable. All of them today have an odd appearance, for the simple fact that the military was so short of equipment that it was unable to lend and the films were made with outdated equipment. One of the things that is striking about SAHARA is how much they manage to achieve with virtually no equipment at all. We usually imagine war films as involving epic struggles between contending armies, but SAHARA instead focuses on a lone tank crew and the few stragglers that they pick up along the way. They use the small scale of the film to their advantage, with the unseen but threatening enemy more omnipresent by their absence.

Given the absence of equipment and armies, the emphasis in the film is on the relations between the members of the tank crew and the individuals they encounter. Bruce Bennett, who first came to fame as an Olympic shot-putter in the 1920s, is excellent as one of the crew members. And there are a host of other veteran supporting actors. Also in a significant role is one of my favorite 1940s actors, Rex Ingram, who was one of the very, very few black actors before Sidney Portier to carve out a career as an actor despite refusing to play in any degrading or stereotypical "negro" roles. Ingram never played a cook or a red cap or a house servant, but instead portrayed soldiers as in SAHARA, genies (THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD, also directed by Zoltan Korda), the devil (CABIN IN THE SKY), and even God (GREEN PASTURES), as well as a very memorable performance in THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN as the escaped slave Jim.

Many of the films of 1942 with war themes are embarrassing today with their jingoistic patriotism or-in the case of the Japanese-borderline racism. That is certainly not the case with SAHARA. The director, Zoltan Korda, was a dedicated leftist (a source of conflict with his more conservative brother Alexander, the producer of most of the top films Zoltan worked upon), and there is a liberal optimism that under girds this film that would be far rarer only there years later in Hollywood. I think this lack of jingoism has helped prolong the life of SAHARA beyond many of the other war films of 1942.

Rating:
Summary: SAHARA, Bogart's Desert War Classic now on DVD !
Review: It was 1943 and the United States was at war. Humphrey Bogart had just finished "Casablanca" (considered the #2nd greatest Movie of the last 100 years by the American Film Institute (AFI)1998) with Ingrid Bergman at Warner Brothers.

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.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: Not only is Sahara one of Bogart's best, it's on my list as one of the 10 best movies of all time!

Rating:
Summary: Bogie in top form, one of the most thrilling films of genre.
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Sergeant Gunn (Humphrey Bogart) is the chief for an American tank in the war against the Nazi's during World War II. As they pull back they come across a group of soldiers consisting of a Frenchman, a South African, and four Brits. These soldiers join the Americans on their retreat, since it is easier to ride on a tank than walking and because they are low on water. As the party journeys deeper into the Sahara desert, they meet a Sudanese soldier who has an Italian prisoner. The Sudanese soldier is great help for the international group of armed forces, since he knows where there is water. The journey becomes a pilgrimage for water and it leads the men into a tough decision, which will most likely lead them to their death. Sahara is an interesting film, since it was filmed during the war and enhanced the support for soldiers that were fighting in World War II. In addition, it has some elements that offer some understanding for different cultures, which was needed in the time of war. Overall, the film offers an adventure for those who seek entertainment, which in the end provides the audience with a good cinematic experience.

Rating:
Summary: A quest for water...
Review: Sergeant Gunn (Humphrey Bogart) is the chief for an American tank in the war against the Nazi's during World War II. As they pull back they come across a group of soldiers consisting of a Frenchman, a South African, and four Brits. These soldiers join the Americans on their retreat, since it is easier to ride on a tank than walking and because they are low on water. As the party journeys deeper into the Sahara desert, they meet a Sudanese soldier who has an Italian prisoner. The Sudanese soldier is great help for the international group of armed forces, since he knows where there is water. The journey becomes a pilgrimage for water and it leads the men into a tough decision, which will most likely lead them to their death. Sahara is an interesting film, since it was filmed during the war and enhanced the support for soldiers that were fighting in World War II. In addition, it has some elements that offer some understanding for different cultures, which was needed in the time of war. Overall, the film offers an adventure for those who seek entertainment, which in the end provides the audience with a good cinematic experience.

Rating:
Summary: Desert wartime conflict
Review: The incomparable Humphrey Bogart is tough, gritty and determined as Sgt. Joe Gunn commander of the remainder of a U.S. tank crew retreating south from the Nazis into the Libyan desert. His crew including a young Dan Duryea and the veteran actor Bruce Bennett pick up a small group of Allied stragglers on the way. Running low on supplies and water they set out for a well marked on a map. They encounter a British Sudanese sergeant major played by Rex Ingram leading an Italian prisoner played by the versatile and Oscar nominated J. Carroll Naish. Finding the well to have dried up, the rag tag bunch is led by the beautifully spoken Ingram to a distant well by following an old caravan trail.

Little do they know but they are being pursued by a mechanized German battalion of about 500 men also desperate for water. Bogart and his group find a scant supply of water at the second well which is located amid some ruins deep in the desert. They ambush a German scouting party and learn of their quandry. They release prisoners with the false knowledge that there is plenty of water to be found to lure the battalion in. They decide to make a stand at the well to delay the Nazi troops while sending out Bennett in a captured Nazi vehicle for help.

Sahara is an excellent wartime movie which serves as a testimony to the resolve of our troops to defend their country and ideals in the face of deplorable circumstamces. Bogart is terrific as usual. J. Carroll Naish does a superb acting job playing the disillusioned Italian prisoner, a mechanic from Turin, Giuseppe.

Rating:
Summary: Desert wartime conflict
Review: The incomparable Humphrey Bogart is tough, gritty and determined as Sgt. Joe Gunn commander of the remainder of a U.S. tank crew retreating south from the Nazis into the Libyan desert. His crew including a young Dan Duryea and the veteran actor Bruce Bennett pick up a small group of Allied stragglers on the way. Running low on supplies and water they set out for a well marked on a map. They encounter a British Sudanese sergeant major played by Rex Ingram leading an Italian prisoner played by the versatile and Oscar nominated J. Carroll Naish. Finding the well to have dried up, the rag tag bunch is led by the beautifully spoken Ingram to a distant well by following an old caravan trail.

Little do they know but they are being pursued by a mechanized German battalion of about 500 men also desperate for water. Bogart and his group find a scant supply of water at the second well which is located amid some ruins deep in the desert. They ambush a German scouting party and learn of their quandry. They release prisoners with the false knowledge that there is plenty of water to be found to lure the battalion in. They decide to make a stand at the well to delay the Nazi troops while sending out Bennett in a captured Nazi vehicle for help.

Sahara is an excellent wartime movie which serves as a testimony to the resolve of our troops to defend their country and ideals in the face of deplorable circumstamces. Bogart is terrific as usual. J. Carroll Naish does a superb acting job playing the disillusioned Italian prisoner, a mechanic from Turin, Giuseppe.

Rating:
Summary: Classic war movie at the genre's best.
Review: The taut and fast moving story about a few men willing to sacrifice themselves for what they believe. One of my all-time favorite war movies.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless
Review: This is one of those films you may have seen many time before, but if you see on TV again you almost have to sit down and watch again; it's irresistable.
I saw this film as a child on TV and never forgot the story, I was very happy to see available again.
The cast is great, and the story is believable and well told. And I wouldn't take a previous revierer from Ann Arbors skepticism with regards race relations in those days. If that person had ever had lead flying over his head he'd know there there are no racists in foxholes, or amongst people lost in the desert. Even in 1943.
A great war film