Five Graves to Cairo (1943)
-
100% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(480 ratings)
Billy Wilder's Five Graves to Cairo is the third take on Lajos Biro's theatrical tale of romance and espionage, Hotel Imperial. This time, the action is transplanted from World War I Galicia to World War II Egypt as Rommel's Afrika Corps viciously forces the British Army to retreat… More Billy Wilder's Five Graves to Cairo is the third take on Lajos Biro's theatrical tale of romance and espionage, Hotel Imperial. This time, the action is transplanted from World War I Galicia to World War II Egypt as Rommel's Afrika Corps viciously forces the British Army to retreat towards Cairo. Protagonist John J. Bramble (Franchot Tone) is stranded in the Sahara, the lone survivor of a British tank crew. In shock and suffering from sunstroke, Corporal Bramble deliriously staggers across the desert searching for the nearest outpost. What he finds is the Empress of Britain Hotel in the Libyan border town of Sidi Halfaya. The city has been deserted and destroyed; no one remains but the Inn's owner, Farid (Akim Tamiroff), and the French chambermaid, Mouche (Anne Baxter). To the woman's chagrin, Farid conceals the English soldier as the Germans commandeer his hotel for the lodging of General Rommel (Erich Von Stroheim). Mouche is unsympathetic toward the plight of any Englishman. She feels the British had abandoned the French Army at Dunkirk, where one of her brothers was killed and another was captured. She has remained in Sidi Halfaya only to wait for the German Army and to bargain for her sibling's freedom, not to help the British. Despite Mouche's protests, Bramble assumes the identity of the hotel's deceased waiter, Davoss, who was crushed during an air raid. Surprisingly, the disguise affords him an immediate audience with Rommel. Davoss was, in fact, a top-secret Nazi spy. This access to Rommel, the invincible Desert Fox, inspires Bramble to remain at the Empress. It becomes his mission to steal the crucial secret of the five supply depots the Germans have buried from Tobruk to Cairo -- which gave them a fighting advantage -- and possibly turn the war in Britain's favor. Meanwhile, after being rejected by the General, Mouche is desperately reduced to "entertaining" Rommel's deceitful lieutenant in order to help her brother. She and Bramble inevitably grow closer as they each struggle to save what is dear to them. When the body of the real Davoss starts to emerge from the rubble in the Empress' basement, it becomes Mouche's fate to make the ultimate decision between saving one brother and saving many. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi
- Directed By
- Billy Wilder
- Written By
- Lajos Biró, Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1943 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Variety Staff, Variety
Director Billy Wilder handles the varied story elements, countless suspenseful moments and vivid portrayals in excellent fashion.
-
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It has a little something for all tastes, provided you don't give a darn.
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
An impressive wartime espionage thriller.
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A crisp spy thriller.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Intelligently told, excellently acted and superbly photographed wartime espionage thriller.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Franchot Tone
as John J. Bramble
-
Anne Baxter
as Mouche
-
Erich von Stroheim
as Field Marshal Rommel
-
Peter van Eyck
as Lt. Schwegler
-
Akim Tamiroff
as Farid
-
Fortunio Bonanova
as Gen. Sebastiano
-
Konstantin Shayne
as Maj. von Buelow
-
Fred Nurney
as Maj. Lamprecht
-
Miles Mander
as Col. Fitzhume
-
Leslie Denison
as British Captain
-
Ian Keith
as Capt.St. Bride
-
Philip Ahn
as 2nd Soldier
-
Bud Geary
as English Tank Commander
-
Frederick Giermann
as German Sergeant
-
Otto Reichow
as German Engineer
-
John Royce
as German Technician
-
Roger Creed
as 4th Soldier
-
Sam Waagenaar
as Rommel's Orderly