Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsDesert Legion (1953) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Georges Arthur Surdez (novel)
Irving Wallace (writer) ...
more
Release Date:
8 May 1953 (USA) more
Tagline:
A RECKLESS LEGEND OF THE FOREIGN LEGION! (original print ad - all caps)
Plot:
Paul Lartal of the Foreign Legion meets the princess of a lost city in the Algerian mountains. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
A treasure chest for Alan Ladd fans more (7 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Alan Ladd | ... | Paul Lartal |
 | Richard Conte | ... | Crito Damou aka Omar Ben Khalif |
| Arlene Dahl | ... | Morjana |
| Akim Tamiroff | ... | Pvt. Plevko |
| Oscar Beregi Sr. | ... | Si Khalil (as Oscar Beregi) |
 | Leon Askin | ... | Maj. Vasil |
| Anthony Caruso | ... | Lt. Massaoud |
| George J. Lewis | ... | Lt. Lopez |
| Sujata | ... | Dancer |
| Asoka | ... | Dancer |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
86 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
West Germany:12 (nf) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:Btl
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Crito Damou aka Omar Ben Khalif: [to Paul Lartal] Oh, I've forgotten to tell you. You were tried this morning by my followers. A fair trial. The verdict was unanimous. Death by stoning. more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (7 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Desert Legion (1953)Recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Ben-Hur | Beau Geste | Jungle Book | Beau Ideal | Major Dundee |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Adventure section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
Take a bit of "Beau Geste," add a dab of "Lost Horizon," and you'll wind up with an enjoyable bit of escapism called "Desert Legion." It's just one of those modestly-scaled but colorfully-mounted 1950's movies which placed not-quite-A-list stars against exotic backgrounds in plots filled with traditional elements of action and romance. While predictable and unremarkable in most respects, these movies hold up surprisingly well today and remind us of a time when a trip to the movies meant stepping, however briefly, into a world of carefully-controlled glamor.
Though pushing 40 at the time he filmed this, Alan Ladd still makes an attractive hero and his fans are treated here to four scenes featuring him in "beefcake" situations. First, he's seen in a bathtub being lathered by muscular black servants. Then he unbuttons his shirt while talking to Richard Conte. Next, we see him bare-chested in bed as he's attacked by a man with a dagger. Finally, he fights a spear-duel with Conte while both men are stripped to the waist. Curiously, all four situations are placed within virtually all-male milieus so that only other men can get a close-up look at Ladd's physique.
Another touch of "beefcake" occurs when a bare-chested legionnaire played by George Lewis is whipped in an attempt to force information from him. (This flogging ranks 32nd in the book, "Lash! The Hundred Great Scenes of Men Being Whipped in the Movies.") Once again, this scene occurs only with other men as witnesses.
Note: the scene of the acrobats entertaining at the planned marriage of Arlene Dahl to Richard Conte is actually a clip from Universal's 1942 movie, "Arabian Nights."