I have seen this film more times than I can remember but “Sea Of Sand” is a superb example of British post war films. The film depicts the gruelling conditions endured by soldiers during the Second World War during the desert campaign.
The story revolves around the Long Range Desert Reconnaissance (LRDG) one of the for bearers of the SAS in reality most LRDG groups were really sent out to gather intel on the enemy via road watches and attack airfields and supply/fuel dumps. In this film, they attempt to travel hundreds of miles behind German lines in North Africa and blow up a crucial petrol dump before a big British counter attack.
The LRDG were a hotchpot of soldiers from units throughout the British army, volunteers who enjoyed a less disciplined army among officers and men. The group put together and set off into the desert where it’s not long before they encounter a lone enemy armoured car they lose men and one of their lorries in a fire fight. They push on but are falling behind time to reach their target.
They meet up with the road watch, decided it would be quicker, to make up time by using the road at night. When they reach the target they set about the attack, they plant bombs around the camp and stumbling on camouflaged tanks, they were discovered. Some managed to escape and get back to the lorries as they were trying to radio a message back to base the Germans captured them.
In the firefight, they lose their radio truck, and one by one as they make their way back to camp as the Germans chase them. Petrol and water run down as the suspense ramps up. Towards the end, they are on foot in the desert as the last lorry runs out of water -- holed by a Jerry bullet in a previous firefight. With time running out and the Germans closing, they cannot carry their wounded... the wounded soldier insists on being left behind. It is a really powerful scene and after their good-byes the lone wounded soldier is set up under a camouflage tarp with a heavy machine gun and the rest of the water (left as a parting token of appreciation for his expected sacrifice). He dies hard, but gains the group time whilst they make their way across the desert in a last attempt to make British Lines.
The performances are excellent, ranging from the hard-drinking regular soldier played by Richard Attenborough and his side kick a family man from a rural community played by Percy Herbert (Blanco White) who features in the most moving of scenes in the film. John Gregson, plays the by-the book Williams, gives an understated solid performance and his antagonism with conscripted architect Michael Craig in command of the group is nicely portrayed.
The mutual lack of understanding between them ends during the mission to destroy the fuel dump during which Gregson's character reveals a hitherto concealed talent, which saves the team from a bloodbath when a truck filled with Afrika Korps, arrives unexpectedly. The superb final scene, which shows Williams finally deviating from the textbook military tactics (his comrades shout, "What on earth is he doing!" - or words to that effect) is both compelling and moving.
Each character is well defined and their motivations and backgrounds are more detailed than many films of the genre. One not to be missed!
My Rating
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