South West Africa prior to the outbreak of World War II:
As Henno Martin and Hermann Korn return from a geological expedition into the bush to Windhoek they learn about Germany's invasion of Sudentland over the wireless. Since all German men between 18 and 35 years of age are interned by the British, the two pack their ancient truck with their few possessions and flee into the dune sea. They hope to find sanctuary but at the same time they expect the worst as they fear that their failure to report to the police will arouse suspicions that they are German spies.
Their fears are confirmed and they are tracked relentlessly during their journey from the sun scorched Khomas highlands to the harsh, seemingly lifeless Namib and the scenic, splendid Brandberg.
From being refined academics, Henno and Hermann are forced to change as they survive barbaric situations. They have no choice but to bloody their hands in gruesome hunts with wild animals in order to eat and survive. In contrast with their escape and their subsequent desperate struggle with the desert, their valuable wireless maintains a crackling presence keeping them informed of the insane events of the outside world and its war.
Baffled by a trail, the two Germans drive deep into the stunningly beautiful Kulseb Canyon. Their struggle starts to take its toll on their personal relationships. Both men are on the verge of breakdowns when they make a miraculous discovery - a supply of edible carp in a desert pond. But the respite is short lived. The pond dries up under a withering sun and the struggle is resumed. Their survival instincts are those of the pursued.
But then the hunted become the hunters, their ability to remain sane diminished by the savage demands of basic survival. They follow their food source across the wilderness. Danger is everywhere and confrontations with snakes, baboons and wild game are part of their daily reality.
Meanwhile, the voices of Churchill and Hitler and the sounds of a distant war echo meaninglessly across their "Sheltering Desert".
Life becomes more arduous and after a desperate dash to a friends farm, Henno and Hermann are sighted and reported. Sensing the opportunity , Johnstone, the cantankerous Scot Colonel unleashes camel patrols led by Bushmen trackers with the Germans carefully laying traps to maintain a slender distance.
But the deprivation begins to take its toll - Hermann falls ill and, after the tension becomes unbearable between the two men, he is taken to a friend and hospitalised in Windhoek. Old friends visit his sickbed, imploring him to report Henno's location for his own survival. Hermann relents and an armed police patrol sets out to capture Henno. They needn't have bothered - the man they find is a pathetic figure, sullen and dispirited.
Colonel Johnstone is delighted, expecting to put the Germans behind bars for the second half of their lives. Heroes in Windhoek, Henno and Hermann are brought before the court. The Magistrate reads the sentence...

©1997 Rupert Graves Online. Cp.: http://www.rupert-graves.com/filmography/shel.html