The Rats of Tobruk

This film clocked in at just 68 minutes on its US release in 1951, and you can guest what got cut as you wade through the amateurish indoor dialogue scenes and unfunny comedy relief between the occasional bursts of action, and finally the short segment set in New Guinea evidently added at the last minute to bring the story up to date.

An interesting Aussie film about three mates who join the Army together and end up fighting the Afrika Korp at Tobruk.

I give this film such a high rating because it is one of only a handful of movies that tell the tale of the Diggers at war.I believe there should be more movies about the efforts of the Aussie soldier in WWII and the great job that they did. It also does a far better job of telling the story about the legendary rats of Tobruk then the later Richard Burton movie "The Desert Rats" (although a good film itself).

I recommend this film to all Australians and any war movie buffs out there, that is if you can find a copy of it!

I love this movie mainly because it tells the story of brave soldiers fighting for their country. Chips Rafferty, Grant Taylor and Peter Finch play three Australian cattle drovers. When the war starts they all join up. It shows that soldiers are really ordinary people until a war starts and once they join up they become heroes. I always laugh at George Wallace as he plays the comic relief. Its definitely worth seeing i managed to track down what I am convinced is the only copy left in existence. If you ever see a copy buy it.

This film turned up very unexpectedly on one of our free view film channels.It contains most of the elements that you expect from a World War 2 film.A fair amount of newsreel film is used there is rather too much comedy.The barber,played by George Wallace,a popular vaudevillian there is a strange character played by Joe Valli who reminds me of Frank Randle.Interesting to see a young Chips Rafferty and an eve younger Peter Finch.Made in 1944 it was not released in the UK till 1949.

The movie offers a unique glimpse into the experiences of Aussie soldiers during WWII, specifically highlighting their efforts in fighting the Afrika Korps at Tobruk. While it might not boast the polished cinematic elements seen in other war films, its historical significance and portrayal of the legendary rats of Tobruk set it apart.

The film provides an intriguing mix of wartime drama, injected with moments of comedy that might not resonate with every viewer. It kicks off with a slow start but gradually picks up momentum, delving into the lives of three mates who join the Army together. The inclusion of newsreel footage and a mix of characters, from the barber played by George Wallace to a young Peter Finch, adds to its authenticity.

Despite its flaws in sound recording, occasional amateurish dialogue scenes, and the uneven pacing, "Up the Diggers!" manages to capture the transformation of ordinary people into heroes during wartime. It sheds light on the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers, resonating particularly with those interested in Australian war history.

This film might not be a cinematic masterpiece, but its historical significance and portrayal of the Aussie soldiers' contributions in WWII make it a worthwhile watch, especially for those intrigued by lesser-known war stories.