Production Details

Director: Steve Westh
Writers: Steve Westh, Greg Colgan & Phil Craig
Executive Producers: Andrew Ogilvie, Andrea Quesnelle & Phil Craig

Drama Documentary 2 x 57 minutes
An Electric Pictures and Nutopia Co-Production 2012

PLAY TRAILER

We peel back the official Desert War history to reveal stories from the frontline, with a subtle revisionist twist

In the deserts of North Africa in 1941 and 1942, two legendary fighting forces were born: the Australian and British ‘Rats of Tobruk’ and General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps. This is their story where we witness the day-to-day life of soldiers from both sides fighting in a desolate, unforgiving landscape, trying to survive poor rations, brutal heat and the constant threat of disease.

Centered on the siege of Tobruk and the battle for El Alamein, this 2-part series peels back the official history to reveal not only the personal stories from the front lines but provide an exciting, insightful and subtly revisionist account of one of the most celebrated campaigns of the Second World War.

Desert War explores the complex links between political leaders, senior commanders and intelligence services, all of which continually influenced the campaign. The fame of German General Erwin Rommel is reassessed in the light of the incredible story of a little-known Axis espionage triumph that delivered detailed summaries of Allied strengths, weaknesses and deployments into Rommel’s hands – with terrible consequences for those fighting for their lives in the desert.

Awards & Festivals

  • Winner Gold Award Dramatised Documentaries, Episode 2, Australian Cinematographers Society Awards (WA) 2014
  • Winner Best Editing in a Documentary, AACTA Awards 2014
  • Winner Best Sound in a Documentary, AACTA Awards 2014
  • Winner Best Editing in a Documentary Series, Australian Screen Editors Awards 2013
  • Winner Best Documentary Docudrama, ATOM Awards 2013
  • Winner Documentary Television Production of the Year, SPA Awards 2013
  • Best Editing Long Form, WA Screen Awards 2013
  • Best Sound Long Form, WA Screen Awards 2013

Production Details

Director: Steve Westh
Writers: Steve Westh, Greg Colgan & Phil Craig
Executive Producers: Andrew Ogilvie, Andrea Quesnelle & Phil Craig

Drama Documentary 2 x 57 minutes
An Electric Pictures and Nutopia Co-Production 2012

PLAY TRAILER

We peel back the official Desert War history to reveal stories from the frontline, with a subtle revisionist twist

In the deserts of North Africa in 1941 and 1942, two legendary fighting forces were born: the Australian and British ‘Rats of Tobruk’ and General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps. This is their story where we witness the day-to-day life of soldiers from both sides fighting in a desolate, unforgiving landscape, trying to survive poor rations, brutal heat and the constant threat of disease.

Centered on the siege of Tobruk and the battle for El Alamein, this 2-part series peels back the official history to reveal not only the personal stories from the front lines but provide an exciting, insightful and subtly revisionist account of one of the most celebrated campaigns of the Second World War.

Desert War explores the complex links between political leaders, senior commanders and intelligence services, all of which continually influenced the campaign. The fame of German General Erwin Rommel is reassessed in the light of the incredible story of a little-known Axis espionage triumph that delivered detailed summaries of Allied strengths, weaknesses and deployments into Rommel’s hands – with terrible consequences for those fighting for their lives in the desert.

Awards & Festivals

  • Winner Gold Award Dramatised Documentaries, Episode 2, Australian Cinematographers Society Awards (WA) 2014
  • Winner Best Editing in a Documentary, AACTA Awards 2014
  • Winner Best Sound in a Documentary, AACTA Awards 2014
  • Winner Best Editing in a Documentary Series, Australian Screen Editors Awards 2013
  • Winner Best Documentary Docudrama, ATOM Awards 2013
  • Winner Documentary Television Production of the Year, SPA Awards 2013
  • Best Editing Long Form, WA Screen Awards 2013
  • Best Sound Long Form, WA Screen Awards 2013