bkoganbing
It was one poorly disguised fact that Libyan oil money made Lion Of The Desert under the supervision of President Muamar Khaddafy of Libya. I guess Khadafy was trying to inherit the leadership mantle of Muktar Oman who led resistance to the Italian occupation of what became Libya after World War II. Knowing that the guy whose idea of war was blowing up airliners with civilian passengers kind of sours the message that Lion Of The Desert is trying to bring.Libya was grabbed off by Italy in the Balkan Wars which was kind of a dress rehearsal for several countries going into World War I. Previously the Bedouin territory was part of the decaying Ottoman Empire and Muktar Oman as played by Anthony Quinn is leading the resistance, still going on in the late Twenties. But Italy has undergone the Fascist revolution and Benito Mussolini as played by Rod Steiger is now in charge. He's sending in one of his best generals Rudolfo Graziani played here by Oliver Reed. Graziani is just the kind of ruthless man that's needed to subdue the Bedouins if anyone can.Reed and Quinn are an evenly matched pair of foes despite Italy having all the advantages of 20th Century armaments. Quinn however has the hearts and minds of the people. The film was directed by Moustapha Akkad and it is miles better than his previous effort The Messenger about the founding of Islam. Still knowing who is financing the message does kind of sour the film. Perhaps one day it will be judged on its own merits.
dbborroughs
Grand spectacular film about Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) and his battle against the Italian army during their Libyan campaign. His arch nemesis is General Rodolfo Graziani played by Oliver Reed and the film chronicles their years long clashes for control of the country.I really like this film. Its a throw back to the grand epics of the late 1950's and early 1960's where everything was bigger in the hopes of drawing people from TV. Here everything is bigger because this is a huge story told on vast landscapes about clashing armies. Keep in mind tits all real since this was done years before computers filled in the numbers of soldiers. Its amazing to see. But spectacle only goes so far, and its the story and the characters that are important here. The tale, the story of a man who refused to back down in the face of tyranny, is compelling. Its helped along by the performances who make you like the good guys and hate the bad guys. I enjoyed it so much I kept riding my bicycle to see it again and again, which resulted in my mother having to come pick me up since the movie invariably ended after dark.If you like big war films see this film.
TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews
I'm not questioning the math of it, that part's quite clear. No, why did this not get more attention? Perhaps too few know the history, which I must admit that I, myself, was unaware of, though it feels quite authentic. It could be the violence... this is rather brutal, and there are those that would call it downright distasteful. Personally, I call it "realistic" and "not unnecessarily toned down". War is not pleasant, much less glamorous. That is a myth, perpetrated by those who wish to keep it going, the people who benefit. This gives an accurate depiction of the fighting, for both sides. Regardless of the reason, I hope that this film is no longer overlooked. Akkad directed three times, and I've now seen, and rated perfect 10's, two of them, the one remaining being an Arabic version of Mohammad: Messenger of God, which was in English. I don't know what kept him out of the chair apart from these instances, but I hope he felt he had told all that he had in him, for it would be a true shame if he did not get the chance to. The plot is incredible, and genuinely inspirational. Writing, all the way, is excellent, the credible characters with proper motivation, the memorable and quotable dialog, and the script as a whole, all amazing. The music is an epic, orchestral score. All of the effects and action are impeccable. The acting performances are beyond reproach. While this does, off course, hold some bias, I never felt manipulated or lied to, as I watched it. Instead, I was engaged and experienced a recreation of the past, and a portion of it that should not be forgotten. In spite of the listing here on the site, the cut I saw was 153 minutes, or about two and a half hours, long. There is no sexuality or language in this. The DVD comes with a theatrical trailer and a making of, produced around the same time as the feature, and they are good and well-done with that in mind. I recommend this to anyone who believes they can stomach the gruesome visuals that are found(I maintain that the use, and amount, are not gratuitous) in it. 10/10
OttoVonB
Prelude to WWII. Omar Mukhtar, a brilliant Bedouin leader, wages war against oppressive Italian Fascist forces (led by the bloodthirsty General Graziani) in his native Lybia.Director Moustapha Akkad (The Message) clearly learnt a few lessons from "Lawrence of Arabia", mainly how best to use the charismatic Anthony Quinn. As Mukhtar, Quinn gives a nuanced portrayal of compassion and wisdom. Whenever he features in a scene, it becomes impossible to tear one's eyes off the screen. Thankfully, Oliver Reed proves a magnificently cruel and seething counterpoint as General Graziani. Irene Papas provides strong supporting work and Rod Steiger turns in a delightful cameo as Benito Musslini.Moustapha Akkad uses a solid structure and keeps it riveting throughout, extracting fine performances from all his actors and technical collaborators. Where "The Message" was impressive but cold (due to its invisible hero and reverence), "Lion in the Desert" has an emotional core and throws up scene after impressive scene. The desert battle scenes are incredibly messy and savage and have a sense of multiple individual action amid chaos, rather than elaborate choreography. This perfectly suits the theme of Bedouin guerrilla. Production values are considerable and Maurice Jarre provides one of his most underrated scores.Some viewers will find qualms with the fact that, despite the coda that proclaims that Lybia managed to liberate itself, the country was then for long under the oppressive rule of Kadaffi. In truth, this little addition might have something to do with the fact that Kadaffi assisted in funding the film. If you can overlook this (not to difficult), you can appreciate the true focus: Mukhtar. This remains a beautiful film about a people's resistance."Lion in the Desert" is an important film, if only because it offers a very accessible (to Western audiences) Arab perspective. It is also impressively well made: an accomplished chapter in the era of great epics that flourished with David Lean's masterpieces and ended with Richard Attenbourgh's Gandhi.See this!
