Lion of the Desert

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Lion of the Desert

PG

1981

2h 53m

Biography

History

Drama

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Louis Proyect

rec.arts.movies.reviews

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

Nov 18, 2006

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Caffeinated Clint

Film Threat

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

Mar 18, 2006

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Dodo D

Must-see movie, it’s educational for all walks of life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Producer: Moustapha Akkad, Mohammad Sanousi
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
Runtime: 2h 53m
Sound Mix: Surround

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