Fünf Gräber bis Kairo (1943)

Fünf Gräber bis Kairo: Directed by Billy Wilder. With Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter, Akim Tamiroff, Erich von Stroheim. In the North African campaign a British straggler manages to pass himself off as a waiter at the hotel commandeered as Rommel’s headquarters. He has thoughts of assassinating Rommel but his cover may have an even better use.

“Not your usual action battle movie, but a thoughtful, well-cast and well-written piece of propaganda. Worth watching for a multitude of reasons – the opening shots of the desert, the end sequences of pure war-worship, Anne Baxteru0026#39;s well-drawn and bitter maid, Stroheimu0026#39;s compelling and scene stealing portrayal of Rommel, the comic Italian general (I think this works as a bit of light relief despite being just that little bit xenophobic). Keeps the interest. Excellent.”