French Foreign Legion Captain Paul Gerard (George Raft), has gained a reputation not only for his military performance but also his sexual prowess. He is assigned to lead a convoy escorting the vivacious Cara (Marie Windsor), the Emir of Bel-Rashad's daughter, back to the Arabian citadel.
The two soon fall in love, a complication that irritates the already existing tensions between the repressed Arabs and the French resistance.
After snipers attack the neighboring Legion garrison with high-powered ammunition, Gerard sneaks into the citadel disguised as an Arab soldier and discovers their massive arsenal, which they plan to use in overthrowing the French. When the local base is viciously massacred by the emir's army, it is up to Gerard, with the help of veteran Lt. Glysko (Akim Tamiroff) to keep the Arabian forces at bay while reconciling the forbidden yet passionate desire he feels for Cara.
Product Description:
This sturdy action picture stars George Raft as Gerard, a dashing Foreign Legionnaire whom the ladies can't resist. When he is assigned the job of escorting the lovely daughter (Marie Windsor) of the emir of Bel Rashad back to her father's palace, the two fall in love en route. Unfortunately, trouble is brewing at the palace and Gerard's happiness fades when he realizes the emir is in the final stages of launching a massive uprising. Faced with a serious dilemma, Gerard has to decide whether or not to ride off and rouse the troops against his own potential father-in-law (played by Eduard Franz).
Director Robert Florey gets lots of moody flavor out of the Moroccan desert landscapes, and the action flows nicely with the aid of some witty dialogue. The rousing battle scenes are filled with actual legionnaires and Bedouin Cavalry riders who were used as extras.
What's wrong
Movie Lover: John Walter from
Middle Village, NY US -- May, 10, 2009
That's my question - what's wrong this film? Foreign Legion, desert battles, a beautiful woman, George Raft, Akim Tamiroff, a siege by Arabs, thirst: what else could you want? And yey, for some reason, it just seems to miss the mark.
Hot Desert and Women makes high entertainment
Movie Lover: Christopher Gordon from
Ventura, CA US -- July, 4, 2008
George Raft as the hard-boiled embittered Legion Captain who must head a dangerous mission. Along the way he falls for Marie Windsor, the local sultan's daughter. Plenty of atmosphere with witty dialogue (watch for the double entendre written in his journal), battle scenes, secret missions, and high body count keep action lovers happy. George Raft flips his trademark coin! Lots of action, fun, and sly humor from Akim Tamiroff makes this one highly recommended. Good print too.
Film Collectors & Archivists: Alpha Video is actively looking for rare and
unusual pre-1943 motion pictures, in good condition, from Monogram, PRC,
Tiffany, Chesterfield, and other independent studios for release on DVD. We
are also interested in TV shows from the early 1950s. Share your passion
for films with a large audience.
Let us know what you have.
