Claysaba
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Zlatica
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
nomorefog
The horses have a hard time, so many horrible falls, but it's a good part for Candice Bergen.
I dislike the Milius' slant in favour of American interventionism. Since the story is 90% fiction, he's out on a limb presenting a foreign takeover by the Americans that never actually happened in real life.
But, that's Hollywood for you.
zardoz-13
Director John Milius' "The Wind and the Lion" qualifies as an excellent historical yarn about a true incident. Of course, certain liberties have been taken with the material, and Milius acknowledges the most important change. In real life, the person kidnapped was not a well-dressed woman, but a man. This gripping adventure wouldn't be half as much fun if a man were the hostage. Sean Connery proves that he was an actor when he took on this role because he looks nothing like James Bond. Brian Keith proved himself to be a formidable actor, too, in his portrayal of President Theodore Roosevelt. The action scenes are orchestrated with flair by Milius, and Candice Bergen and Sean Connery have charisma. If you are a Sean Connery fan, "The Wind and the Lion" show him in top form. John Huston steals every scene that he is in as Roosevelt's adviser John Hay. Since Milius wrote and directed this movie, you can be certain that the firearms are correct, too.
DKosty123
Mid 1970's - Sean Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith- formula for action and romance? Nope, there is plenty of action, but only the slightest hint of romance. That is because Candice Bergen is already a Murphy Brown in development in this movie. This is a great movie because of the script and the action. When the CIA started tinkering in the middle east they should have watched this movie to better understand what they were getting into. John Milius script addresses a few issues we are quite acquainted with now only the film is set in the time of Teddy Roosevelt. Brian Keith get kudos here for his role as Teddy. The script was nominated and should have won an award. Connery plays the Sultan of Morrocco, a violent sort. Years before Isis came along, he beheads at least 2 people in this movie. He and his small army kidnap Bergen and family. This makes Teddy Roosevelt upset.Connery, the Sultan then shows her what he does with his enemies when he beheads 2 of his enemies. Luckily all he is after from Roosevelt is gold for their return. Bergen starts giving him a consult at one point and he gets upset and retorts "I usually don't take any consults from women, and your not even one of my wives." That ends the Murphy Brown discussion.He does mention Jihad a few times in the movie but in the end of this one, they finally negotiate a settlement with Teddy Roosevelt to release his hostages. The release turns into quite an event with the US Marines that are sent in to pick the family up. This is a film which gives the viewer an idea that Middle East turmoil is no where near new.The trouble is this Sultan is much more intelligent than the Sophomore Isil people who are now beheading people. He only kills for a reason, not just to do it for their own pleasure. He has pride and justice in his make up. This film does a fine job getting into this, and the battle sequences and locations used look great on film. I thought at one point they borrowed the beach location used in Grease, but I might have been seeing things.
TheLittleSongbird
I saw this film at school and absolutely loved it. Based on a true story, this is an absolutely splendid masterpiece of a film. Seriously, I couldn't find anything wrong with it. One definite plus is how it was filmed. Set in Morrocco in 1904, the Wind and the Lion is filled with stirring images like the Great Raisuli on horseback especially. The cinematography was faultless, the editing was crisp, the costumes were gorgeous and the scenery was breathtaking. And I have to mention the music from Jerry Goldsmith, it was phenomenal. I have used this phrase a lot recently, but Goldsmith ain't my favourite film composer for nothing. His score here is so rousing and exciting, it shows the man's true musical genius, and this gem of a score should be up there with Goldsmith's best scores with Legend, Rambo:First Blood, Patton and The Secret of NIMH.The action is exhilarating and the screenplay is intelligent and sophisticated. The direction is sensitively handled too. The performances were astounding as well, with Sean Connery, ever the picture of charisma and suavity, magnificent as the Great Raisuli, he almost dominates the entire picture on his own. He is joined by a feisty Candice Bergen, a wily John Huston and a captivating Brian Keith in one of his more understated performances. The history is fairly accurate, perhaps flimsy in some areas, but with the acting, music and visuals so good I am past caring. 10/10 Bethany Cox
