SEA OF SAND – 1958
This filmed on location UK war film is much better than I was expecting. It tells the story of a patrol of the "Long Range Desert Group". This unit was tasked with recon work behind Axis lines during the Western Desert campaign of WW2. They also engaged is destroying enemy fuel and supply dumps, as well as airfields.
This particular patrol is led by Michael Craig with John Gregson as second in command. The rest of the group includes, Richard Attenborough, Vincent Ball, Percy Hebert, Ray McNally, Barry Foster and Andrew Faulds among others. The men are being sent on a raid of an Afrika Korps supply dump.
Thing quickly hit a snag when they have a run in with a German armoured car. The duel results in the destruction of the German vehicle, but also the loss of one of the raiding trucks and several men killed. Evading further patrols and enemy aircraft, the remaining trucks come up on the supply dump. They sneak in at night and set explosive charges throughout the supplies. The German's tumble to their presence and a big firefight ensues. The explosives go off which provides some cover for their withdrawal from the area.
They however stumble into a German ambush and lose more men and trucks. The survivors need to make it back to headquarters to report on a number of armored fighting vehicles they discovered. These tanks could give the Allies a nasty shock when the Allies launch their upcoming counter-offensive against Rommel and company.
The German's were of course less than pleased with the attack on their supply dump. They send out a patrol of half-tracks to hunt down the British. The British are soon losing trucks and men as they try to get the vital info to their lines. Their radio is shot all to hell and of no use.
What I like about this film is the no nonsense approach to war it takes. None of that stiff upper lip stuff. Just people doing what they must to survive.
Everyone in the cast is quite good with Craig, Gregson, Attenborough and Hebert in particular shining.
The director was Oscar winning cinematographer, turned director, Guy Green. Green started out working the cameras for the great, David Lean. Well worth the time investment.
This filmed on location UK war film is much better than I was expecting. It tells the story of a patrol of the "Long Range Desert Group". This unit was tasked with recon work behind Axis lines during the Western Desert campaign of WW2. They also engaged is destroying enemy fuel and supply dumps, as well as airfields.
This particular patrol is led by Michael Craig with John Gregson as second in command. The rest of the group includes, Richard Attenborough, Vincent Ball, Percy Hebert, Ray McNally, Barry Foster and Andrew Faulds among others. The men are being sent on a raid of an Afrika Korps supply dump.
Thing quickly hit a snag when they have a run in with a German armoured car. The duel results in the destruction of the German vehicle, but also the loss of one of the raiding trucks and several men killed. Evading further patrols and enemy aircraft, the remaining trucks come up on the supply dump. They sneak in at night and set explosive charges throughout the supplies. The German's tumble to their presence and a big firefight ensues. The explosives go off which provides some cover for their withdrawal from the area.
They however stumble into a German ambush and lose more men and trucks. The survivors need to make it back to headquarters to report on a number of armored fighting vehicles they discovered. These tanks could give the Allies a nasty shock when the Allies launch their upcoming counter-offensive against Rommel and company.
The German's were of course less than pleased with the attack on their supply dump. They send out a patrol of half-tracks to hunt down the British. The British are soon losing trucks and men as they try to get the vital info to their lines. Their radio is shot all to hell and of no use.
What I like about this film is the no nonsense approach to war it takes. None of that stiff upper lip stuff. Just people doing what they must to survive.
Everyone in the cast is quite good with Craig, Gregson, Attenborough and Hebert in particular shining.
The director was Oscar winning cinematographer, turned director, Guy Green. Green started out working the cameras for the great, David Lean. Well worth the time investment.