Main Cast: Rock Hudson, George Peppard, Nigel Green, Guy Stockwell, Jack Watson
Release Year: 1966
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
Plot
Arthur Hiller directed this exciting World War II drama starring Rock Hudson as Major Donald Craig of the British North African Army. In 1942, Craig is captured by the Vichy French, rescued by Palestinian Jews, and taken to the headquarters of Col. John Harker (Nigel Green). Harker explains that since Craig is an expert on the desert, he has been recruited to mount a suicidal raid upon the fuel bunkers at Rommel's key source of supplies at Tobruk. In order to get to Tobruk, a band of Palestinian Jews, commanded by Captain Kurt Bergman (George Peppard), will pose as German soldiers escorting a group of British prisoners. Making their way across the Libyan desert, the band endures a series of close calls until two Nazis spies are captured. When the spies suddenly escape, Harker and Craig realize someone in their group is a traitor. But by this point they have reached their destination and have to table the problem of the traitor as they battle the Germans around the fuel depot at Tobruk. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
Tobruk is about an exciting, based-on-real-life incident, a stealth suicide mission against the forces of the Nazi Desert Fox himself, Rommel. There's plenty of ingredients here for a suspenseful, emotional, gripping, character-driven war story. And indeed, the final 20 minutes or so of Tobruk is grand, a beautifully directed, cinematically vivid account of the attack itself. Director Arthur Hiller is in top form here, executing the sequence with an aplomb and mastery that is thrilling. It's a great finale, and it only makes one wonder why some shred of that excitement couldn't have found its way into the rest of the picture. That's not to say that there isn't anything of interest to be found before this. Rock Hudson does a credible job as the hero of the film, and George Peppard is very convincing as the Palestinian leader. Nigel Green also has more than a few moments along the way. But Leo V. Gordon's screenplay never gives them enough to play. It's poorly constructed, with dialogue that is too often feeble though it tries hard to be muscular. And although things happen in it, it just can't seem to get started until its climax. As said, that climax is a huge plus -- put it's not enough to save the whole movie. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Norman Rossington - Alfie; Percy Herbert - Dolan; Liam Redmond - Henry Portman; Heidy Hunt - Cheryl Portman; Leo Gordon - Sgt. Krug; Robert Wolders - Corporal Bruckner; Anthony Ashdown - Lt. Boyden; Curt Lowens - German Colonel; Henry Rico Cattani - Cpl. Stuhler; Peter Coe - Tuareg Chieftain; Lawrence Montaigne - Italian Officer; Robert Hoy - British Corporal; Phil Adams - S.I.G. Bocker; Ron Rondell - S.I.G. Schell; Joseph Sargent
