Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar)

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80%

TOMATOMETER

Reviews Counted: 5

93%
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User Ratings: 3,710

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Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

Average Rating: 4.2/5

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Movie Info

Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar, who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar, the Libyans, battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback, managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years, until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Moustapha Akkad
In Theaters:

Apr 17, 1981 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jul 7, 1998
Runtime:

162 minutes
Studio:

Anchor Bay Entertainment

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Cast

Anthony Quinn
as Omar Mukhtar

Oliver Reed
as Gen. Rodolfo Graziani

Rod Steiger
as Benito Mussolini

John Gielgud
as Sharif El Gariani

Irene Papas
as Mabrouka

Raf Vallone
as Diodiece

Gastone Moschin
as Maj. Tomelli

Takis Emmanuel
as Bu-Matari

Stefano Patrizi
as Lt. Sandrini

Robert Brown
as Al-Fadeel

Eleonora Stathopoulou
as Ali's Mother

Andrew Keir
as Salem

Rodolfo Bigotti
as Ismail

George Sweeney
as Capt. Biagi

Pietro Tordi
as Field Marshal

Victor Baring

Gianfranco Barra
as Sentry

Ewen Solon

Luciano Catenacci

Sky Dumont
as Prince Amadeo

Franco Fantasia
as Gen. Graziani's Aide

Mark Colleano
as Infantry Corporal

Alec Mango

Adolfo Lastretti
as Col. Sarsani

Mario Feliciani
as Lobitto

Claudio Gora
as President of Court

Lino Capolicchio

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Critic Reviews for Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar)

All Critics (5) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (1)

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

Jul 18, 2011 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An anti-colonial work that resonates with the struggle in Iraq today.

Nov 18, 2006 | Full Review…

Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews
A grand epic adventure that'll stand as a highpoint in the producing career of Moustapha Akkad

Mar 18, 2006

Clint Morris
Film Threat
Lion of the Desert portrays a heroic figure who understands and exemplifies the spiritual dimensions of freedom.

Jan 31, 2004 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice