Syduzzaman Shimul
The movie is based on a true history when Italy ruled Libya. Omar Mukhtar, a true symbol of a dedicated leader. who never compromised with the occupiers. He is fighting against super power dictators unequally to save his land, to save his nationality. This movie shows us the cruelty of dictators as well as inspires us to fight against dictators. I personally very much liked Omar Mukhtar for his outstanding personality and the role he played through out the movie. I hate all kind of occupiers. And this movie gave me the lesson to hate occupiers strongly. I also supports small ethnicity and nations to be exists around the world. Long live the leaders like Omar Mukhtar!
Jibran Khan
Well it is about the last years of Omar mukhtar Libyan freedom fighter and his encounter with one of most ruthless General Garzini who is sent to Libya by Mussolini to capture Omar Mukhtar dead or alive.And then as the movie goes on Garzini uses his cruel ways to capture Omar mukhtar but as Omar mukhtar out smarts him in his every ways but in the end he captures him by creating a wall of steel wires between Egypt and Lybia so cutting supplies of Omar mukhtar from Egypt leaving them desperate so that's how he captures him and then hangs him in the end.So this is a great war movie ever made I mean moustapha Akkad really did something with this movie he beautifully directed it I don't know what is the ultimate reason for it bombing at the box office.
Andres Salama
Now that Libya is in the news, it might be good to look at this film, made 30 years ago. It deals with the two decades long rebellion by one Omar Mukhtar against the Italian colonial authorities in Libya, and how it was finally suppressed, through ruthless means, by the army of Mussolini in 1931. This movie was famously financed by Gaddhafi, whose funds allowed this relatively unknown war to be brought to the screen with a decent budget. The director was Syria's Mustapha Akkad, who would die two decades and a half later in a terrorist bombing. With its fine battle scenes, showing a diversity of military tactics, I think that military buffs will especially appreciate this film. The movie naturally has an anti colonialist point of view, but it's not unfair to the Italians, who are the center of much of the movie (despite this, this movie was banned in Italy for decades). As a movie dealing with the anti colonial struggle in the Arab world it can be favorably compared to the Battle of Algiers (Lawrence of Arabia is another movie that comes to mind). Anthony Quinn is impressive as the old, noble Omar, but the best performance of the movie to me is by Oliver Reed, as the brilliant but ruthless Italian general Graziani. Unfortunately, Rod Steiger, in his brief role as the Duce, just doesn't cut it, it looks like a poor parody and he even looks embarrassed to be there. And while not as bad a performance, John Gielgud is just not believable in his supporting role as an Arab sheik allied with the Italians. The movie could have been a bit tighter as well (it's almost three hours long) but despite these minor flaws, I recommended strongly.
bkoganbing
It was one poorly disguised fact that Libyan oil money made Lion Of The Desert under the supervision of President Muamar Khaddafy of Libya. I guess Khadafy was trying to inherit the leadership mantle of Muktar Oman who led resistance to the Italian occupation of what became Libya after World War II. Knowing that the guy whose idea of war was blowing up airliners with civilian passengers kind of sours the message that Lion Of The Desert is trying to bring.Libya was grabbed off by Italy in the Balkan Wars which was kind of a dress rehearsal for several countries going into World War I. Previously the Bedouin territory was part of the decaying Ottoman Empire and Muktar Oman as played by Anthony Quinn is leading the resistance, still going on in the late Twenties. But Italy has undergone the Fascist revolution and Benito Mussolini as played by Rod Steiger is now in charge. He's sending in one of his best generals Rudolfo Graziani played here by Oliver Reed. Graziani is just the kind of ruthless man that's needed to subdue the Bedouins if anyone can.Reed and Quinn are an evenly matched pair of foes despite Italy having all the advantages of 20th Century armaments. Quinn however has the hearts and minds of the people. The film was directed by Moustapha Akkad and it is miles better than his previous effort The Messenger about the founding of Islam. Still knowing who is financing the message does kind of sour the film. Perhaps one day it will be judged on its own merits.
AD
