The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Year: 1951

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry Hathaway

HistoryWarDramaActionWar and historical adventure

At last! The sensational best-seller comes to the screen! The life and career of Erwin Rommel and his involvement in the plot to assassinate Hitler.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951)

Trace every key event in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Raid on Rommel's HQ in November 1941

In November 1941 a British commando unit raids the headquarters of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The attackers are unaware that Rommel is recovering from nasal diphtheria in Germany, which blindsides the Allies. The raid foreshadows Rommel's vulnerability and the increasing pressure on Axis leadership.

November 1941 Rommel's headquarters, Germany
2

Hitler summons Rommel to return to the Africa Korps

A phone call from Adolf Hitler prompts Rommel to abandon his forced stay in Germany and return to North Africa. He faces a tense strategic situation with inadequate resources and an order to 'hold fast' to the last man. Rommel resents the directive, suspecting it's a political trap.

November 1941 Germany to North Africa
3

The looming Second Battle of El Alamein

The British Eighth Army under General Bernard Montgomery prepares to counterattack Axis forces at El Alamein. Rommel finds his manpower and matériel limited, forcing a defensive stance. The strategic map tightens as the Allied pressure grows.

1942 Oct–Nov El Alamein, Egypt
4

Rommel ordered to hold fast and fight to the last man

Hitler persists in demanding a stubborn defense with dwindling reserves. Rommel privately curses the 'clowns' around Hitler, yet transmits the order and steels himself for a potentially doomed stand. The decision marks a turning point in Rommel's frontline leadership.

1942-1943 North Africa
5

Rommel falls ill again and returns to Germany

Rommel succumbs to illness again, leaving front-line duties behind. He is evacuated back to Germany, where his absence reshapes the Axis command dynamics. His withdrawal removes one of the most capable generals from the theater.

Late 1942–Early 1943 Germany
6

Dr. Karl Strölin visits Rommel in hospital

Dr. Karl Strölin, a longtime family friend and Stuttgart's Lord Mayor, visits Rommel in hospital to recruit him into anti-Hitler dissidents. Rommel resists, wary of the risks and the consequences for his family. The failed dissent solidifies Rommel's reluctant distance from any conspiracy.

1943 Stuttgart, Germany
7

Rommel oversees the Atlantic Wall from Western Europe

Rommel is transferred to Western Europe to oversee the Atlantic Wall's completion, a project he yet regards as inadequate to thwart a major Allied invasion. He recognizes the defensive limitations and the impossible task ahead. His role shifts from frontline commander to a strategist worried about Germany's vulnerability.

1943–1944 Western Europe
8

D-Day lands in Normandy; Rommel's constraints

With the successful Allied landings on D-Day, Rommel and his superior von Rundstedt are hampered by Hitler's belief that the invasion will strike Calais. Hitler refuses to release troops and tanks, preventing a decisive counter from forming a deep defensive line. The Axis response is too little, too late.

June 1944 Normandy, France
9

Rommel probes a conspiracy with von Rundstedt

Rommel seeks to discuss the possibility of a coup with von Rundstedt, who declines to commit but wishes Rommel luck. The topic reveals Rommel's growing awareness of the regime's fragility and his own precarious position. The hesitation deepens the tension within the German high command.

1944 German high command
10

Rommel wounded in a staff car attack

Rommel is seriously injured when his staff car is strafed by an Allied plane. He returns home to recuperate, further isolating him from the front and from any potential influence over events. The injury accelerates the suspicion and the pressure around him.

1944 Germany
11

The Wolf's Lair bombing and Hitler's survival

A bomb explodes at Hitler's feet during a meeting at the Wolf's Lair, but the Führer survives. The purge follows, with thousands suspected of complicity hunted down and executed. This event cements Rommel as a possible threat in the eyes of the regime.

July 20, 1944 Wolf's Lair, East Prussia
12

Dossier of treason and the suicide option

Evidence connects Rommel to the conspiracy, and General Burgdorf charges him with treason. Rommel is offered a choice between conviction and death, or suicide with a public implication that his wounds caused his end and his family would be protected. The ethical and personal cost of loyalty to Germany weighs heavily.

July–October 1944 Germany high command
13

Rommel's farewell and decision

Rommel bids a stoic farewell to his wife, who agrees to explain the decision to their son. He climbs into a staff car to meet his fate, choosing suicide to spare his family and public disgrace. The moment closes the potential for a public trial and anchors his legacy.

October 14, 1944 Germany
14

Churchill's tribute and the credits

A voiceover quotes Churchill praising Rommel's chivalry, tactical genius, and stance against Hitler, shaping the final impression of the film. The credits roll as the war continues beyond Rommel's life. This coda reframes Rommel's reputation in a heroic light.

Post-1944 Britain (House of Commons)

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:15

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

More About The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Similar Movies to The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel

Discover movies like The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.