I know the filming location for Sahara was the Desert Warfare Training Center, and the opening scenes seem to put it in the desert close to I-8 between the Dunes and the Colorado river. Does anyone know where the domed adobe brick building and "well" are located? I would like to pilgrimage to and photo this sight. Thks, Pres
sharesorry, i have no idea but wouldn't it be close to where they filmed the rest of the movie
shareSee the following Website; www.evesmag.com/bogard.htm This will bring up a great article about the making of the movie, "War in the Sahara,Bogart-Style" by Kenneth Koyen (who was a young 2nd Lt. with the 4th Armored Unit that was detailed to assist the moviemakers on this movie) ENJOY!.....Dave
share[deleted]
The website listed above has a misspelling in it. It should be www.evesmag.com/bogart.htm
shareThe author remarks, offhandedly, that Bogart's tank was a 'Sherman' when in fact, it is clearly an old 'Grant' with the clumsy, side mounted main gun.
shareGood point. Hundreds of Grants and Stuarts were delivered to the Soviets via Lend-lease. However, the front-line Russian soldiers were said to detest the American machines as deathtraps. The Soviets did like the American trucks and P-39 fighters.
CmdrCody
Lullabelle was a M3 Lee, not a M3 Grant. There is a big difference in the turret asked for by the British for their lendlease vehicles. The American unit that the story is loosely based upon used Grants as they got them from Lend Lease stocks.
The British nickname for the Stuart was "Honey" as that how they felt about its driving. Compared to the British tanks available both the Grant and Stuarts were upgrades. For one thing, American tanks had High Explosive shells to fire at infantry. British tanks with their 2pdr (40mm) guns didn not have High Explosive shells.
Compared to the British tanks available both the Grant and Stuarts were upgrades. - telsono
I remember hearing a review of a book by a WWII Soviet tank commander whose unit had Shermans. It seemed that they actually liked them, though they weren't as safe as a T-34, because they were a whole lot more comfortable, easier to drive, etc.! Of course, if you survived the war, then you probably didn't feel your personal tank was a death trap, even if most of the others ended up that way!
shareThank you for your help on this question. i am planning as many trips to the area as needed to match the mountain backgrounds with the chocolate mountains. There is an area near there where retirees spend the winter. I can ask there for a domed building. I appreciate your help. I didn't re-check the movie for quite a while and was amazed at a coherent response. Griz-4
shareAfter watching this website for months with no reaction, I gave up. Am now home recovering from minor surgery and am bored so have taken another look. If you'll send me your mailing address, I will send you a copy of my 1996 Sahara article and a map showing the main film location. I was last at the site this past February. The site has been badly damaged by off-road vehicles and some erosion, but the foundation to the domed building is still there. And I found a few more fired blank shells and another coin. F. Blake.
shareBy the way, I've just discovered a 1985 book, "My Work in Films", written by Eugene Lourie, who was the art director for SAHARA. He reveals several film facts of great interest. Wish I had known about "My Work..." when I found and wrote about the film site in '96. Good used copies are available at Amazon.com.
shareHi,
How can I send you my address?
I just read this board after seeing Sahara on AMC last night and would like to research the film a little more.
I'd be willing to forward any copying costs.
My e*mail is: [email protected]
Hope to hear from you,
Marshall Smith
“To accept injustice is cowardice.” ---Gandhi
This movie was filmed near the salton sea in the california desert.
shareI found the "oasis" filming site in 1996 on the west side of the Salton Sea. I also wrote an article about SAHARA, and the film site, for ARMY MOTORS magazine. If you can provide a mailing address, I will send a copy of that article and a topographic map showing the film site. I have many artifacts from the site including .45 cal. shells from Bogart's tommy gun and a spark plug from Lulu Belle. The foundation of the adobe building, incidentally, still exists. I also have an original script, many still photos, and a press kit.
Frank Blake
My grandfather was in this movie. Ironically he fought in WWII with the 4th Armored division against the Africa Corps and then when D-Day took place it was off to Europe. In the movie he is a German infantryman, lol. It has been awhile since I've seen the film but there is a close up of him wearing a German cap as they are advancing, the scene lasts for only seconds but its cool.
share[deleted]
Eugene Lourie was a set designer and later film director who published his memoirs
in 1985.
He worked with Jean Renoir, Charlie Chaplin as well as SAHARA which has details on the set and drawings of the adobe hut. The "Alibris" book search web-site currently lists a used copy for $10. It's quite enjoyable.
My understanding -- I think from Robert Osborne -- is that the domed building and its auxilliaries were destroyed in the course of filming the climax. Of course there might still be remnants there.
shareLast night I watched Sahara on TCM and Robert Osborne did say the building was destroyed. Its likely that is basically true but as discussed here, not every trace gone.
Osborne also said the filming took place outside Yuma, AZ. so his fact checkers are not 100%.
“To accept injustice is cowardice.” ---Gandhi
Siracco Summit, The Patton Museum is in the area where they did military training. There is a small airport nearby. Just the other side , South , of Joshua Tree National Park Entrance, in Southern California.
sharePortions of the film were shot in what's now known as the Anza Borrego state park. (The Colorado Desert).
Many other films and TV shows were filmed here as well.
One of my faves being "The Young Lions" (1958. Again, taking place in North Africa.