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 rallies Libyan guerrillas against an Italian general's army sent by Mussolini.

Vincent Canby

New York Times

08/30/2004

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.

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Michael Ventura

L.A. Weekly

12/29/2021

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

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Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

10/04/2019

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.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

07/18/2011

A

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

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Louis Proyect

rec.arts.movies.reviews

11/18/2006

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

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Caffeinated Clint

Film Threat

03/18/2006

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

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Meri S

@mschroeder 6d

An epic portrayal of the Italian military’s vicious attack on Libya in the 1920’s and Omar al-Mukhtar’s leadership to attempt to keep his country free from the fascists. Not sure it’s a movie for everyone, but I personally walked away learning about this part of history I’ve just started diving into. Probably more so for history and movie buffs. Great cinematography and production.

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V M.

@IndianWarrior Nov 22

Very very well made movie very accurately shows the atrocities committed by the Italians and the general who definitely in the same league as his boss Mussolini and Hitler not only lived to his 70’s but even has a mausoleum built in the 21st century…. Go figure…..

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Dodo D

@RT40894128 Oct 7

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

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John H

@JLHIII 02/07/2024

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!

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Emilio T

@MilloTPue 07/18/2020

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.

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05/14/2020

Great I love it 👏👏👏👏

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Moustapha Akkad

Director

Anthony Quinn

Omar Mukhtar

Oliver Reed

Gen. Rodolfo Graziani

Rod Steiger

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Synopsis

Bedouin hero Omar Mukhtar rallies Libyan guerrillas against an Italian general's army sent by Mussolini.

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