When watching Zoltán Korda's Sahara, it's important to remember that at the time of its production and release victory against the Axis was not a sure thing. So if it seems unusually vigorous in its chest-thumping patriotism, keep in mind that the film was intended to help inspire a war-weary American public. Set around the time of the Battle of Gazala, the film follows an American tank crew led by U.S. Army Master Sergeant Joe Gunn (Humphrey Bogart) as they meet up with other Allied survivors, take Axis prisoners, and set up camp around the only well with any water within dozens of miles. As a massive group of dehydrated Nazis surround them, Gunn and the other survivors concoct a scheme to keep them occupied and distracted until Allied reinforcements can reach them. I will give the film a bit of credit: while the one Italian character, a prisoner named Giuseppe, is rather stereotyped, he is revealed to be rather noble, even sacrificing his life near the end to help the Allied soldiers. Overall, the film is a solid piece of adventure entertainment. If macho war heroics aren't your thing, then at the very least Sahara serves as an interesting glimpse into the psyche of 1943 American society.
7/10
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