Lion of the Desert

PG

Released Apr 17, 1981

2 hr. 53 min.

Biography

History

Drama

Adventure

List

75%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Bedouin hero Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) rallies Libyan guerrillas against an Italian general's (Oliver Reed) army sent by Mussolini (Rod Steiger).

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John H

Very good epic movie about the Lybian resistance to Italian occupations. Very good story and acting by Anthony Quinn. Good action buy a bit long but he resisted occupation for 20+ years!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. The movie is so-so, but it is original to talk about a conflict very few have spoken, and the great actings from Anthony Quinn and Oliver Reed have a weigh in the balance.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great I love it 👏👏👏👏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is a must see. Though a box office failure it reports a functional accpunt of the resistance in Libya. Quadaffi did little good in his life ,but funding this epic of a regional hero was an apex of Quadaffi's existence. The west does little to recognize the resistence in North Africa pre WWII and during the war. Excellent film. Historical signifigance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I hadn't realised how brutal and muderous the Italians were in those days, just as bad as the Nazis. I'm half Italian and this was not there finest hour.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

delysid d

This is a cool war movie that reminds me of March or Die, The Wind and the Lion, or the man who would be king. also if you like this check out Zulu and Zulu Dawn

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/07/18

Full Review

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Moustapha Akkad

Director

Anthony Quinn

Omar Mukhtar

Oliver Reed

Gen. Rodolfo Graziani

Rod Steiger

Benito Mussolini

John Gielgud

Sharif El Gariani

Irene Papas

Mabrouka

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94%

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Lion of the Desert is a canny film, though it's probably a film from which one will take just what one took into it. No expense has been spared.

Aug 30, 2004

Full Review

Michael Ventura

L.A. Weekly

This is a serious movie, done not greatly but seriously and well. It helps you read between the headlines.

Dec 29, 2021

Full Review

Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

Visually it is awesome, due in no small part to Jack Hildyard's cinematography, but a desert spectacular is by nature limited. Lion of the Desert grows tedious long before its 2 3/4-hour running time has run its course.

Oct 4, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's one of the best anti-colonial Hollywood film ever (almost on a par with the Battle of Algiers).

Rated: A

Jul 18, 2011

Full Review

Louis Proyect

rec.arts.movies.reviews

An anti-colonial work that resonates with the struggle in Iraq today.

Nov 18, 2006

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Film Threat

A grand epic adventure that'll stand as a highpoint in the producing career of Moustapha Akkad

Mar 18, 2006

Full Review

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Synopsis

Bedouin hero Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) rallies Libyan guerrillas against an Italian general's (Oliver Reed) army sent by Mussolini (Rod Steiger).

Director: Moustapha Akkad
Screenwriter: H.A.L. Craig
Production Co: Falcon International Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 1981, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 27, 2017
Sound Mix: Surround

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