Desert Sands (1955)

Too much of everything

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

This military adventure/romance contains some mildly interesting action footage of battle scenes, but on the whole, is so poorly cast with Arabs who resemble California beach boys and the biggest array of phony accents you can ever imagine anyone assembling. There is really only one character who is remotely plausible as a Frenchman and very few who are plausible as Arabs. The absurdity of the film is further compounded by stilted, cliché-ridden dialogue and a romantic interest by the Arab heroine that strains credulity, to say the least. All of this results in an unintentionally laughable and ludicrous film which irreparably spoils any chance of the viewer being swept away by its pathetic pretense at being an adventure epic and grand romance. A Lawrence of Arabia or Beau Geste it is not! Positive reviewers are obviously delusionally waxing nostalgic from their memories as 8 year old viewers.

This film, admittedly not a masterpiece generally or even of its genre, does have a certain charm about it mainly in its easygoing, almost casual, depiction of Legionairres.Worst thing about it: had to wait an awfully long time and endure too much tawdry action before the Arab princess (Marla English) -- who I worshiped -- strode in on her roan steed and before her first line strikes Meeker sharply with her whip! (Don't see entrées like that much anymore.) Anyone notice the sheik's playing loose and easy with prisoner of war rules -- reviewing their bios, finding their weak spots, choosing special informers who manifest weak character flaws, and...will...talk.And how about that Alita's, the princess's slave girl, man savvy, learning from the smartest...and the simplest.One more thing: why in hell does Maltin omit this pic from his book? Does anyone know?

I saw this film only once in 1957 at a local cinema when I was nine years old. The plot outline is a little dim after the passage of time but I recall that the story centred upon a misunderstanding that took place between the son and daughter of an Arab chieftain and the local garrison of the French Foreign Legion. War ensues and Ralph Meeker as the commander of the garrison, fights heroically against the Arabs.I recall that the colour was very good and the actors portraying the legionaires seemed quite authentic. The actor portraying the French sergeant was very affecting. Marla English as the Arab princess was beautiful and sensual.I would enjoy seeing this film again and it is a pity that the copyright holders have not released it as a video or a DVD. I hope that it may be offered to television networks to take up and show in future.

My cherished memories of "Desert Sands" still remain after 26 years. It played on the bottom of a double-bill (can't remember the main feature--a forgettable 'A' big-studio stinker, I'm certain) but was a swift, beautifully photographed, Foreign Legion humdinger of escapism with a memorable cast--Ralph Meeker at his most stalwart, gorgeous Marla English, John Carradine & J. Carroll Naish at their outlandish best, and young, dashing John Smith poised for stardom (after charming supporting roles in "The High and the Mighty," "We're No Angeles" and the forthcoming "Friendly Persuasion"). But the film seems to have vanished after playing on TV in the early '70s. Dismissed in its time as a 'B' programmer, "Desert Sands" was a sweeping, actionful treat--the actors seemed to be having as much fun as the cheering audience (and when has that happened in today's zillion-dollar stinkers? The stars seem to be wincing and working almost as hard as the audiences do trying to keep awake while enduring these "blockbuster" bombs). Come on, Turner Classic Movies. You've got the rights to these UA programmers of the '50s. Granted, most of them aren't worth reviving, but "The Desert Sands" definitely is. A throwback to the days when even medium-budget films could be class-A efforts, depending on the talents of all those (director, actors, script, cinematographer, etc.) involved. In this instance, "The Desert Sands" comes up trumps! Suffer thru other expensive big-studio adventure epics of the time ("Beau Brummel," "Prince Valiant," "The Egyptian," etc.) and you'll relish the unpretentious, lighthearted "Desert Sands" even more. An unheralded gem of 1955, long-overdue to be recognized as a heralded gem of any day. And it demands to be letterboxed in Superscope. A dazzling wide-screen delight--for precarious adventurers of all ages and times!