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Sahara
1943 97 min United States of America 18+
★7.9
Adventure, War
Director: Zoltan Korda
🎭 Based on
«The Thirteen»
Trailers
Description
In Libya, an American tank commander, along with a handful of Allied soldiers, tries to defend an isolated well with a limited supply of water from a German Afrika Korps battalion during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II.
US Gross:
$2.3M
Worldwide:
$2.3M
Starring
Humphrey Bogart
Actor
Bruce Bennett
Actor
J. Carrol Naish
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1944
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1944
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 1944
— Best Cinematography (Black and White)
Key opinion
Zoltan Korda’s 1943 war drama stands out as a compelling piece of Allied wartime cinema that emphasizes international cooperation and moral integrity. While it adheres to the era's propaganda conventions, the film is elevated by Humphrey Bogart's authoritative performance and a taut, suspenseful narrative structure.
| Acting | Humphrey Bogart provides a grounded, authoritative anchor for the film through his portrayal of the devoted tank commander Sgt. Gunn. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively champions anti-fascist solidarity by highlighting the collective cooperation of a diverse, multinational squad. | |
| Screenplay | The film utilizes authentic-sounding dialogue that successfully conveys the camaraderie and desperation of the characters despite period censorship. | |
| Theme | The portrayal of enemy forces is polarizing; some viewers appreciate the clear-cut ideological struggle, while others find the depiction of German soldiers to be exaggeratedly villainous or one-dimensional. |