Lion of the Desert | | Cast : | Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger | | Director : | Moustapha Akkad | | Studio : | Anchor Bay Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Widescreen | | Released Date : | January 01, 1981 | | DVD Released Date : | January 12, 1999 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 14, 2005 | | Summary | Shame on you amazon | Content
 | First I must comment on the shamless racist bigot Jeff Shannon and his so called 'review' of this film which seems to be more concerned with who financed the film rather than it's contents.
The film 'Muhammad'he claims was 'critically roasted' strange that in that I have lived in the Middle East for several years and can recall that film being shown every Ramadan in countries from Qatar to Turkey, strange in that it is distributed by newspapers for free during Ramadan in Turkey and is one of the most highly respected films in the country, strange in that it is approved by al-Azhar University the most respected University in Sunni Islam and by the Shia body of Lebanon strange in that Jeff Shannon obviously has no idea what he is talking about. But what is particually discusting is his language:
"Under a shaggy Muslim beard"
Congratulations Amazon on one of the worst examples of racist stereotyping I have read since Enid Blyton's 'gollywog' character. There was I thinking that this kind of racism had died out over 30 years ago only to find it prominently displayed at amazon (I should point out here I made the same complaint to amazon.co.uk and had no response. Seems Muslims and ethnic minorities are fair game again these days)
The film itself does suffer from some poor displays especially from seasoned actors such as Oliver Reed while Anthony Quinn (under his 'shaggy Muslim beard' (sorry but that phrase is just so openly racist it frankly discusts and enrages me)) is exellent in the role of Umar al-Mukhtar. It is facinating to see the tactics that his men used against the militarily far superior Italian forces and also the barbaric response that the Italians made against them.
It should be pointed out that Amazons synopsis is also wrong. Umar al-Mukhtar was the leader of resistance for the Sanusi Sufi order which was led by the grand Sanusi who was in exile in Egypt (Umar al-Mukhtar was orded to take up arms by his Sheikh and not simply the leader of a band of men who take up arms as amazon's synopsis would have you believe). The Sanusi order which originally was a peacefull order speading Islam in the Sub Sahara through education and the opening of schools next to their 'Zawiyas' was forced into military action by the agressive policies of first the French and then the Italians. It should also be pointed out that they also fought along side the Ottomans in the first world war and their Sheikh was a significant leader in the Turkish war of independence. This should give the veiwer an idea that this film is of far more importance than just a "curiosity for those wanting to learn more about Lybian history"
This film deplicts one of the darkest periods of Italian history and regardless of who financed the film it is an important document of a period of history Italy has tried to hide. I would equally like to see a film documenting the Italian occupation of Ethiopia.
I would also recomend the books desert encouter by K Holmboe and Omar al-Mukhtar by Enzo Santarelli for further reading both published by Darf publications. The book 'Road to Mecca by Muhammad Asad also has some mention of the Sanusi order, Umar al-Mukhtar and the role that the Sanusis played in the Turkish war of independence.
This film deserves 5 stars as it stands as one of the only cinematic documents of this period of history.
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| Rating | | | Date | April 25, 2005 | | Summary | Great valuable movie | Content
| This movies depicts a dark era of the Italian history in which Italy was led by semi-Natzis. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 16, 2005 | | Summary | A Masterpeice, one of the best movies I have watched | Content
| The Lion of the Desert is one of the best movies, it is sad not many people know about it. Anthony Quinn and Reed do a great job. Some of the reviewers have given it a low rating just because it potrays Arabs in a positive role. If this movie was based on western events of freedom fight it would have received an Oscar, it is just sad how people have been brainwashed by the media regarding Arabs. Overall, I rate this movie as one of the best I have watched. Truly a masterpiece. |
| Rating | | | Date | February 14, 2005 | | Summary | A bit long, but hits you in the guts. | Content
| Forget the Amazon.com review, its ridiculous (? prejudiced). Come on, if ithe movie is so bad, how come it gets so many stars? I saw this movie maybe 20 years ago, and still remember it well. It has some shortfalls, it's about 15 minutes too long, and the inclusion of a "humane" Italian officer is a little too cliched. For the rest though the characters and situations are realistic, Anthony Quinn gives a fine perforemance, and the battle scene at the Oasis is the bloodiest, most shocking re-ceation I have ever seen, before the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. Watch it and like me at the end you'll be a little bit quieter and more somber. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 27, 2004 | | Summary | it is the movie | Content
| This is the movie which you don't need to miss. It worth the money you will spend. |
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