Brennender Sand (1960)

After Lukas returns from Jordan severely wounded by gunshots, he reports in his final moments that Marco is still lying seriously injured in Citra and that they found the biblical scrolls. Lukas had been searching for the whereabouts of the scrolls, said to be in the rock city of “Citra” (the film’s name for the city of Petra), with Dina’s friend Marco and two other companions. The dancer Dina manages to raise money and persuade four male companions to join a recovery mission. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that each of them has a different motive: one wants the scrolls and, driven by greed, betrays the group; another wants to rescue Marco; one is looking for adventure; and another joins out of scientific curiosity. Disguised as Bedouins with camels, horses, and donkeys, the Israeli group manages the dangerous crossing from Israel into hostile Jordanian territory. Danger lurks around every corner. They encounter numerous perilous, even life-threatening situations; among other things, Dina is nearly shot before they reach Citra, and the bullet kills her donkey. The barren landscape serves as the backdrop for their expedition, which has little chance of success. In the temple in Citra, they find King Solomon’s scrolls as well as Marco, who is severely wounded and dies shortly afterward. In a shootout with Bedouins who appear on the scene, all of whom are killed by the Israeli group, one of the group members also dies. The wind carries away the scrolls they had found earlier.