Five Graves to Cairo
Seen it?1943 | 96 min | War, Thriller, Drama
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved The Zone of Interest or The Longest Day, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1943: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
During the 1942 North African campaign, a British straggler passes as a waiter at the hotel commandeered as Erwin Rommel's headquarters. He has thoughts of assassinating Rommel but his cover may provide an even better use.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 3 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $855K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 20K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Billy Wilder
- Franchot ToneCpl. John J. Bramble / Paul Davos
- Anne BaxterMouche
- Akim TamiroffFarid
- Erich von StroheimField Marshal Erwin Rommel
- Peter van EyckLt. Schwegler
- Fortunio BonanovaGen. Sebastiano
- Philip AhlmSecond Soldier (uncredited)
- Roger CreedFourth Soldier (uncredited)
- Hans MoebusThird Soldier (uncredited)
- Leslie DenisonBritish Captain (uncredited)