The pressure mounts on the Allied forces trapped in Tobruk as Rommel (James Mason) advances, placing the responsibility on "Capt. MacRoberts" (Richard Burton) to inspire a tired group of ANZAC soldiers for a final stand against the cunning Desert Fox. He’s not overly strict, but he won't tolerate insubordination, which immediately creates friction with his unit when he responds harshly to actions from their "Lt. Carstairs" (Charles Tingwell). Fortunately, the regiment’s habitual drinker, "Bartlett" (Robert Newton), used to be the captain’s schoolmaster and retains enough influence over his former student to help him reconsider his reaction and assist with the growing demands placed on him and his soldiers as the German forces draw nearer. Mason appears in only a couple of scenes, but the connection between Burton and the consistently captivating Newton effectively blends heroism with practicality, humanity with compassion. The continuous bombardment that batters these men is powerfully shown through occasional actual footage combined with authentic desert scenery, and a strong supporting group including Torin Thatcher, Chips Rafferty, and Robert Douglas contributes to a believable depiction of how difficult and unyielding the North African campaign truly was.

Source on TMDB