for me this movie be a disappointment . somehow i expect that it would explain the reason for general rommel popularity and his success a a military strategist in ww ii . but there be none of that and it deal with the last year or two of his life and try and in a way and to whitewash him . so i just have to suppose that rommel be primarily an amoral and apolitical technocrat in the conquering and kill business and without any particular charm or notoriety in behaviour . such real life people just do not make good movie material . i almost feel sorry for james mason and really one of my favorite actor and who have to impersonate a pretty wooden character . actually and a good director and a lot of great acting talent be waste on this movie with the exception of luther adler who give a really memorable and weirdly naturalistic portrayal of adolf hitler . there might also be a cultural problem for people like me who be part of the german speaking world . famous british actor impersonate german be just not credible . rommel and for example and be perceive here not just a a german but a a typical southerner from baden württemberg . you immediately think of a certain dialect and a certain kind of wit and a certain way of see the world ( the total opposite of eg a prussian junker ) . i also think that there be now mixed feeling about the assassination attempt of july 20th and many of those who be in on the conspiracy be not democrat and just want the german troop to join the western ally against the advance bolshevik ( thus prolong the war forever ) . the best movie portrayal of an intellectual and intelligent military mind be in my opinion still patton ( 1970 ) . incidentally and general patton can be glimpse for a short moment in the ample documentary footing use for this movie and a low angle shot while he be inspect pass vehicle . the open holster and the revolver with the mother of pearl grip be clearly visible .