This is a British- Italian- Lybian co-production(financed by Lybian dictator Muammar Qaddafi), it starts explaining that Italy tries to retrieve the Roman Empire glory. In 1911, conquers Libya , including Tripoli, Tobruk and Benghazi. 1922, Benito Mussolini rules over Italy. 1929, Mussolini(Rod Steiger) assigns Rodolfo Graziani(Oliver Reed) the mission to stifle the Bedouin guerrilla and pulls off a new invasion . Graziani, under direct orders dictator Mussolini, along with Amadeo, Duke of Aosta(Sky Dumont) goes to Libya soil fend off the rebellious. Omar Mukhtar(Anthony Quinn) organizes Lybian forces to keep the Italian army formed by tanks and armored vehicles facing off Bedouin troops on horseback. Mukhtar , the Lion of the desert, and his rebels patriots hold off the encroachment for twenty years, from 1911- 1931. Omar Mukhtar was tried and executed by hanging in 1931. Soon after the fall of Mussolini General Graziani was tried and prisoned , he died in 1955. The characters in this film are real and the events based on historical facts.
This is a desert epic-historical-drama with breathtaking battles and magnificent acting. Stunning acting by main casting, Anthony Quinn and Oliver Reed, both hold an extraordinary battle of wits. Besides excellent Rod Steiger as Mussolini, role who he formerly played in ¨Last four days¨(1977). Outstanding performances by secondary cast as Andrew Keir, Raf Vallone, Irene Papas, Gastone Moschin, among others.
The movie is well produced and directed by Moustapha Akkad with a David Lean's style and using a similar crew and assistants, as the cameraman Jack Hildyard and the musician Maurice Jarre. He was a famous producer, when in 1978 John Carpenter came to him with the Halloween's script , Akkad produced it and Carpenter made it and was a big hit and later produced the sequels. Akkad also produced and directed ¨The Message¨ also with Anthony Quinn concerning about the prophet Mahoma. Moustapha Akkad, unfortunately died in Amman , Jordan by injuries in terrorist bombing.
This is a desert epic-historical-drama with breathtaking battles and magnificent acting. Stunning acting by main casting, Anthony Quinn and Oliver Reed, both hold an extraordinary battle of wits. Besides excellent Rod Steiger as Mussolini, role who he formerly played in ¨Last four days¨(1977). Outstanding performances by secondary cast as Andrew Keir, Raf Vallone, Irene Papas, Gastone Moschin, among others.
The movie is well produced and directed by Moustapha Akkad with a David Lean's style and using a similar crew and assistants, as the cameraman Jack Hildyard and the musician Maurice Jarre. He was a famous producer, when in 1978 John Carpenter came to him with the Halloween's script , Akkad produced it and Carpenter made it and was a big hit and later produced the sequels. Akkad also produced and directed ¨The Message¨ also with Anthony Quinn concerning about the prophet Mahoma. Moustapha Akkad, unfortunately died in Amman , Jordan by injuries in terrorist bombing.