4/5 Very Good Movie
  by Arthur E. Bohlmann
I really enjoyed this move, it has earned a place in my war movie collection.

2/5 Fonda has been better.
  by E. W. Hensley (NC Washington)
An early Fonda Film set in North Africa during WWII. Hank plays one of several
British Tommys fighting the nasty nazis. It is an interesting mixture of
blatent flag waiving (that is not a bad thing) typical B grade propaganda
effort (that is a bad thing) and Mr. Fonda trying hard but not quite succeding, to
put fortha performance the equal of his co-stars. I liked the film mainly because
it is a classic example of WWII propaganda. Could have taken place in the American
South West in the 1870's with Fonda fighting the Apaches over a water hole.
If you have little expectation of an Oscar Winning effort you will not be disapointed.
But it is worth the watch. WH

4/5 Poignant and reverential wartime drama
  by Cory D. Slipman (Rockville Centre, N.Y.)
Henry Fonda stars as timid Canadian writer Colin Spence who enlists in the British Army during World War II. Living in London, becomes inspired to join the war effort leaving behind his girlfriend Valentine played by Maureen O'Hara to the amorous advances of love rival and journalist Joe Benedict played by a dapper Reginald Gardiner. Interestingly Fonda completed the filming of the movie just prior to the commencement his own wartime service,

Fonda who has risen to the rank of corporal is fighting the Italians in the Libyan desert. His mild mannered nature finds him eschewing command all the while learning at the elbow of respected veteran platoon leader Sgt. Kelly played by Irish American character actor Thomas Mitchell. When a desert fire fight leaves his platoon decimated, Fonda and Mitchell must lead the lost survivors through the sweltering desert sands. When another battle claims the respected Mitchell, Fonda is forced to assume command to save himself and his 3 remaining men.

Fonda exhibiting leadership and heroism is spurred on reminded of the words of the beloved Sgt. Kelly. He leads a well conceived suicide mission during a raging sandstorm, against a large contingent of Germans guarding an oasis which harbors the sole source of life sustaining water. His experience matures him into a man worthy of command and the hand of the girl he left behind.

This film completed in the midst of the darker days of WWII evoked a strong sense of realism and patriotism without overly cranking up the propaganda, typical of films of this time.

4/5 Another great old war flick
  by Jon O. Weiss (Kentucky)
I really liked the movie. I had never seen it prior to this. I bought it, only because I happen to like old B&W movies. This is a great classic that everyone should see.

5/5 Immortal Sergeant
  by John B. Firer (Glendale, WI United States)
First saw this movie on TV in the early 1960s and have always liked it since. Good character studies and insights into leadership. As with all war movies made during WWII, it has some propaganda included but in general, holds up pretty well.

Action takes place in Libya probably in Feb/Mar 1941 just as the Germans are arriving in Africa. Flashbacks during the main plot reveal how we got to where we are.