Large sections of Australia consist of desert and that had huge effect on the development of that nation's agriculture. It also had important effects on the development of Australian film industry because desert provided cheap but in the same time exotic settings. One of such examples is Sahara, 1995 war film directed by Michael Trenchard-Smith.
The plot is set in North African desert during the most critical period of WW2. Rommel's Afrika Korps has just pierced through Allied defences and taken important stronghold of Tobruk. Before the battle Allied forces had been equipped with new models of American tanks together with small detachment of US personnel. Sergeant Joe Gunn (played by James Belushi) commands one of those tanks and makes a large detour towards south in an attempt to evade Germans and reach Allied lines. Along the way his crew picks up couple of Allied stragglers and even takes few Axis prisoners. But large numbers create new problems when they run out of water. The solution comes in the form of a well, hidden within the walls of an ancient desert fortress. But that well also becomes an objective for entire German battalion. Against impossible odds and common sense, Gunn decides to make a stand and deprive the enemy of water.
Those who complain about Sahara having little or no resemblance to historically reality of WW2 in North African theatre might have a valid point, but writer David Phillips and director Trenchard-Smith should be excused for that. Their film is only a remake of 1943 Hollywood original (with Humphrey Bogart in main role) created for purposes of war-time propaganda and therefore not being burdened by realism (and itself being remake of 1937 Soviet film The Thirteen set in Russian Civil War period). In our, more cynical, times gung-ho militarism and black-and-white characterisation might look somewhat anachronistic, but Trenchard- Smith compensates that with capable direction. Set of characters, each of them representing various nationalities and races that took part in that conflict, are played by good actors and Michael Massee stands out as Free French soldier deeply traumatised by the occupation of his country. James Belushi is, on the other hand, somewhat hard to digest as a charismatic leader of men. The deus ex machina ending also leaves much to be desired, but Sahara would generally satisfy the needs of those viewers who desire some old-fashioned war films.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on May 13th 2003)
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