Good movie but grossly overrated

A Masterpiece!

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Reviewers panning the whiteness of the Arabs, the diction of the Arab revolutionist? It's a drama, made in the USA as entertainment, not a documentary. The Arab princess, Marla English,had me excited in the 1950s and I loved how her servant assisted her escape from close confinement. Of course it's all implausible, but I don't watch movies for plausibility. Of course the officers of the Legion are supposed to be French and the enlisted fighters all foreigners. Again, I have to complaint that might demonstrate my 'intelligence' as a critic. The plot is a pan Islamic uprising against the French annexation of North Africa as colonial affront to the locals. The 'bad guy' is a fanatic with murderous ambition to rule as Mohammad had ruled, with an iron fist and discipline. I still prefer Ten Tall Men and Jody Lawrence in that, but this film was delightful in unexpected timeliness, after the Arab Spring. Now I'll go look up Marla English and find out what happened to her.

I am amazed as I watch this film, as it sure doesn't seem anything like the other reviews have described. They are all quite glowing in the film's praise--saying it's the best of the Foreign Legion films and filled with excitement. Were we watching the same film?! "Desert Sands" is a terrible film--not at all convincing and, in some ways, rather silly. My biggest complaints are the casting and the the writing. Among the cast, there is no one who seems the least bit French but even more importantly, there's no one who seems remotely North African! Now perhaps you could explain the troops not being French because it's the FOREIGN Legion...but the North Africans are all very white and some (particularly the leader) sound as if they were educated at prep school! It's utterly ridiculous and sloppy...very, very sloppy. As for the writing, it's bad--particularly when it comes to dialog. None of it sounds the least bit realistic and is filled with clichés. This is a bad movie! The bottom line is that there are LOTS of better desert films--such as "Beau Gest", "The Lost Patrol"....even "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion"!! I just think this is a terrible film--one that inexplicably is adored by some others.

This film, admittedly not a masterpiece generally or even of its genre, does have a certain charm about it mainly in its easygoing, almost casual, depiction of Legionairres.Worst thing about it: had to wait an awfully long time and endure too much tawdry action before the Arab princess (Marla English) -- who I worshiped -- strode in on her roan steed and before her first line strikes Meeker sharply with her whip! (Don't see entrées like that much anymore.) Anyone notice the sheik's playing loose and easy with prisoner of war rules -- reviewing their bios, finding their weak spots, choosing special informers who manifest weak character flaws, and...will...talk.And how about that Alita's, the princess's slave girl, man savvy, learning from the smartest...and the simplest.One more thing: why in hell does Maltin omit this pic from his book? Does anyone know?

I saw this film only once in 1957 at a local cinema when I was nine years old. The plot outline is a little dim after the passage of time but I recall that the story centred upon a misunderstanding that took place between the son and daughter of an Arab chieftain and the local garrison of the French Foreign Legion. War ensues and Ralph Meeker as the commander of the garrison, fights heroically against the Arabs.I recall that the colour was very good and the actors portraying the legionaires seemed quite authentic. The actor portraying the French sergeant was very affecting. Marla English as the Arab princess was beautiful and sensual.I would enjoy seeing this film again and it is a pity that the copyright holders have not released it as a video or a DVD. I hope that it may be offered to television networks to take up and show in future.