Tobruk Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Canadian POW gets ‘rescued’ by German-speaking Jews disguised as Nazis to help some grumpy British commandos drive across the desert, blow up gas, and stop another group of British traitors who also apparently hate the British.

🍿 Tobruk: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Crisis in North Africa

September 1942. Rommel’s Afrika Korps is pushing towards the Suez Canal, putting immense pressure on British forces in North Africa. Despite air raids, crucial fuel supplies continue to reach the German army in Tobruk, Libya. A desperate plan is devised by British command to infiltrate a team behind enemy lines to destroy this vital fuel depot. The mission is complex and requires specialized knowledge of the terrain.

Recruiting Major Craig

The British need a Canadian officer, Major Donald Craig, for the mission. Craig, an expert topographer with unique knowledge of the Egyptian theater, is held prisoner by Vichy French forces in Algeria. A British special unit, composed of German Jews serving under British command and known as the Special Identification Group (SIG), is tasked with rescuing Craig. Disguised as German soldiers, they infiltrate the prison ship, free Craig, and transport him via seaplane to a rendezvous point in the desert.

The Perilous Desert Journey Begins

Major Craig meets Colonel Harker, commander of the Long Range Desert Group, and Captain Bergman, leader of the SIG. Craig learns the mission involves guiding a column of British commandos, disguised as POWs escorted by Bergman’s SIG impersonating German soldiers, 800 miles through the Sahara. The diverse group faces immediate friction due to differing ideals and deep-seated prejudices, particularly antisemitism from some British officers towards Bergman’s German-Jewish unit. Despite the tension, the arduous trek across the desert begins.

Navigating Obstacles and Discovering a Traitor

The journey is fraught with danger, including navigating minefields and evading enemy patrols. A particularly tense moment involves tricking nearby German and Italian units into firing on each other to allow the column to pass undetected. Along the way, the group encounters unexpected individuals, including British traitors carrying crucial documents intended for the Axis powers. The discovery of these traitors raises suspicions within the commando unit, revealing that there might be a German spy hidden among their own ranks.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maj. Donald Craig (Rock Hudson): The reluctant Canadian topography expert rescued from a POW camp to guide the mission through the treacherous Sahara desert.
• Capt. Bergman (George Peppard): The intense German-Jewish leader of the Special Identification Group unit driven by a desire for vengeance against the Nazis and a future for his people.
• Col. Harker (Nigel Green): The rigid British commander who leads the daring mission despite his initial mistrust and prejudiced views towards his German-Jewish allies.
• Lt. Mohnfeld (Guy Stockwell): Captain Bergman’s loyal lieutenant in the SIG unit who plays a crucial role in uncovering the traitor within their ranks.
• Sgt. Maj. Tyne (Jack Watson): The capable British Sergeant Major responsible for critical communications during the perilous mission.
• Sgt. Krug (Leo Gordon): A tough and loyal soldier in Captain Bergman’s unit who remains with Major Craig during the final assault.
• Cpl. Bruckner (Robert Wolders): A seemingly trusted member of Captain Bergman’s unit secretly revealed to be the German spy who attempts to sabotage the mission.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lt. Mohnfeld: ““Mohnfeld”… Odd name for a German officer? We can’t all be named Schmidt, Fraulein Portman.” – Said with wry humor when asked about his German surname by one of the captured British traitors, highlighting the unit’s German-Jewish identity.
• Maj. Donald Craig: “My mother didn’t raise any heroes.” – Craig states this early in the mission, expressing his reluctance and detached perspective on the war and heroism.
• Maj. Donald Craig: “It’s suicide!” – Craig’s blunt assessment of the proposed mission plan during the initial briefing, reflecting his professional caution.
• Col. Harker: “It’s orders!” – Harker’s terse reply to Craig’s doubt about the mission’s feasibility, emphasizing military duty and authority.
• Col. Harker: “We have few saving graces… perhaps our willingness to die for what we believe is all that matters.” – Harker reflects on the nature of duty and sacrifice amidst the dangers of the mission.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Tobruk Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally checked out “Tobruk,” and man, classic war flicks just hit different! I love that ‘men on a mission’ vibe, and this one delivers, even if the plot sounds a bit wild on paper. It’s got that gritty desert feel, and Rock Hudson and George Peppard are cool together, even with all the friction. There’s this one scene with a flamethrower… super intense! And the end? Just explosions everywhere, total chaos in the best way. Yeah, the tanks are wrong, everyone mentions it, but honestly, I was having too much fun watching stuff blow up to really care. It’s definitely a product of its time, especially the back-and-forth between the different groups, but that actually made it more interesting than just a straight-up good guys vs. bad guys thing. If you like those big, adventurous war movies from the 60s, you should totally give this one a shot. It’s not perfect, but it’s a blast.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic World War II movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ‘men-on-a-mission’ style action films”
  • “Those interested in the North African Campaign setting”
  • “Fans of Rock Hudson and George Peppard”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Deaths of main characters”
  • “Depictions of anti-semitism (within character dialogue)”

Professional Reviews

• Action Film Fan Review: “”Tobruk” delivers solid, old-school WWII action. The spectacle, especially the explosive climax, is impressive for its time. While historical accuracy takes a backseat (those tanks!), the pace keeps you engaged. Peppard and Green bring gravitas, even if character depth isn’t the film’s strong suit. It’s a fun, gritty adventure that doesn’t pretend to be overly serious.
• Historical Drama Critic: “Arthur Hiller’s “Tobruk” attempts to blend compelling character dynamics, particularly between the British and German-Jewish soldiers, with large-scale action. While the premise is fascinating and groundbreaking for its era, the character arcs feel underdeveloped. The film struggles to rise above a TV-movie feel at times, yet the final raid sequences are undeniably well-executed and visually striking.
• Classic Film Buff: “Beyond the admittedly inaccurate hardware, “Tobruk” offers a surprisingly complex narrative for a ’60s war movie. The subplots involving traitors and the political undercurrents add layers. The dialogue can be sharp, mixing comic relief with philosophical moments. It’s an intelligent, engaging war film that holds up well, proving spectacle doesn’t have to sacrifice thought.

Audience Reactions

The huge, explosive final battle is incredibly memorable.: Many viewers found the unique premise of German-Jewish soldiers fighting alongside the British fascinating and well-handled. The action sequences, particularly the climax, were widely praised for their scale and intensity. The cast, especially George Peppard and Nigel Green, received positive mentions.

The tension and conflict between the Allied groups was a unique angle.: While some noted historical inaccuracies (especially the tanks), most found the film highly entertaining as a classic adventure story. The blend of action, espionage, and character dynamics kept viewers engaged.

Overall Consensus: An entertaining and explosive World War II adventure, “Tobruk” is primarily praised for its unique premise involving German-Jewish commandos and its large-scale, action-packed finale, despite some criticisms regarding historical accuracy and character depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the real-life British raid on Tobruk (Operation Agreement) in September 1942, which, unlike the film’s outcome, was a complete failure.”
• “Portions of the action sequences, including large explosions and battle footage, were re-used in the 1971 Richard Burton film ‘Raid on Rommel’.”
• “The movie was filmed on location in Spain and Arizona, leading to an anachronistic appearance of Joshua trees in desert scenes, which are native only to the southwestern United States.”
• “Leo Gordon, who played Sgt. Krug in the film, also wrote the screenplay.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tobruk?

To watch ‘Tobruk’ (1967), check major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary by region and service, so consult your preferred digital storefront for the most current viewing choices.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tobruk, you might like these similar films:

• Raid on Rommel (1971): Uses significant portions of footage from ‘Tobruk’ and features a very similar plot about a mission to destroy Rommel’s fuel depots in North Africa, offering a different cast’s take on the same events and action.
• The Guns of Navarone (1961): A classic ‘men on a mission’ WWII adventure where a small commando team is tasked with infiltrating enemy territory to destroy a heavily defended target (giant cannons) crucial to the Allied war effort, similar to the objective in Tobruk.
• Where Eagles Dare (1968): Another large-scale WWII commando film from the same era, featuring a daring infiltration behind enemy lines, complex plotting including double agents, and a high-stakes objective, appealing to fans of ensemble action-adventure.
• Exodus (1960): While a different genre (epic drama), it explores themes of Jewish identity, persecution, and the fight for a homeland in the post-WWII era, resonating with Captain Bergman’s character arc and motivations in ‘Tobruk’.
• Inglourious Basterds (2009): A modern, stylized take on WWII featuring a group of Jewish soldiers operating behind enemy lines to strike back at the Nazis, sharing the unique premise of a Jewish unit actively fighting their persecutors, albeit with a very different tone and historical accuracy.

🛒 Tobruk Related Products

• World War II in North Africa History Book: Detailed accounts of the North African campaign, including the battles for Tobruk and Operation Agreement, offering historical context to the film’s setting.
• North Africa Campaign Strategy Game: A historical strategy game (digital or board game) simulating key battles and campaigns in the WWII North African theater.
• WWII Desert Vehicle Model Kit (e.g., P-40 or Panzer): Scale model kits of aircraft or tanks featured in the film, allowing fans to build and display iconic vehicles from the movie.
• Tobruk (1967) Blu-ray or Digital Copy: High-definition release or digital stream of the classic WWII film, often including restored picture and sound.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tobruk features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tobruk (Original Motion Picture Score)” – performed by Bronislau Kaper
• “Main Title” – performed by Bronislau Kaper

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

WW2 – OverSimplified (Part 2)

Want to truly understand the huge conflict that led to D-Day? This super popular ‘OverSimplified’ video gives you the quick and engaging breakdown of World War 2, making the stakes in the movie feel even more real – seriously, millions have watched it, and you’ll see why!

Queen Victoria Dies, Allies Capture Tobruk and more | British Pathé

Get a feel for the real-life era of World War 2! This British Pathé newsreel shows you actual footage from the time, like the capture of Tobruk, giving you a glimpse into how historical events were shown to the public back then – pretty cool to see!

Reaction to Tank Battle Scene in Stalingrad (1993)

Curious about how realistic those intense battle scenes in war movies are? Check out this historian’s reaction and analysis of a tank battle from another WW2 film, ‘Stalingrad’ – it gives you a new perspective on the combat depictions you see in movies like ‘The Longest Day’.

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