Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar)

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80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

94%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,712
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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

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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)

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Audience Reviews for Lion of the Desert (Omar Mukhtar)

  • Sep 05, 2008
    I've learned quite a lot about <b><i>Omar Al-Mukhtar</i></b> growing up, from school, from my parents and whenever the resistance in<b><i> Libya</i></b> got mentioned. And to finally watch all of that in a movie, and not any movie, but one that was marvelously and perfectly crafted to every last detail made me watch it countless times.. An accurate representation that shows the facts surrounding the Libyan revolt lead by<b><i>Omar Al-Mukhtar</i></b> who was spectacularly portrayed by <b><i>Anthony Quinn</i></b>.. <b><i>Oliver Reed</i></b> delivers a top notch performance too as General <b><i>Rodolfo Graziani</i></b>.. But having read <b><i>Jeff Shannon's</i></b> review on it-I'm sure a lot of you know him and have read reviews of his-I found it extremely racist and offensive.. I don't think it should matter who financed a movie as long as it's good! I also can't see how using the sentence"under a shaggy Muslim beard" to describe <b><i>Anthony Quinn</i></b> in the movie, is considered reviewing a movie at all, it's just being out of line and unprofessional!! Anyway it is one of the most underrated historical epics featuring great battlefield scenes.. A personal favorite of mine when it comes to the genre that should not be missed..
    Dina B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 17, 2008
    not as well paced as the directors other effort that i watched recently "the message". had a similar long run-time. anthony quinn has a more central role here. oliver reed is powerful as one of finito benito's generals. actually rod steigers small part as mussolini is great
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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