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Lion of the Desert

Play trailer Poster for Lion of the Desert PG Released Apr 17, 1981 2h 53m Biography History Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Lion of the Desert

Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews
Lion of the Desert

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Cast & Crew

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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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Lion of the Desert

Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) Lion of the Desert (1981) View more photos

Movie Info

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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