The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

A biographical portrait of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, from his command of the Afrika Korps through his eventual implication in the July 1944 plot against Hitler and forced suicide. The film presents Rommel sympathetically as an honorable soldier caught in Nazi tyranny.

Rommel commanded Axis forces in North Africa from 1941–1943 and was later implicated in the aftermath of the 20 July 1944 plot to kill Hitler; he was given the choice of a forced suicide with a state funeral or trial and reprisals against his family, and chose suicide in October 1944.

The film reflects the postwar 'clean Wehrmacht' myth, softening Rommel's Nazi-era complicity while accurately depicting the circumstances of his death.

Montgomery's Eighth Army broke the Axis line west of Alexandria and began the pursuit that ended in Tunisia.

A massive artillery barrage opened Operation Lightfoot, followed by a grinding infantry and armoured battle through minefields. Operation Supercharge broke through in early November and Rommel withdrew.

Directed by Henry Hathaway

Cast: James Mason, Cedric Hardwicke, Jessica Tandy, Luther Adler

Positioned at 1942–October 1944 within the North African campaign and July 20 plot phase of the war, as part of the North African campaign. This is entry 58 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Rommel
• Afrika Korps
• July 20 plot
• biography
• North Africa

• 

  The Desert Rats

  April–December 1941

• 

  The Big Red One

  1942–1945

• 

  Sahara

  June 1942

• 

  Five Graves to Cairo

  Summer 1942

• 

  Tobruk

  September 1942

• 

  The Battle of El Alamein

  October 23 – November 11, 1942