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Lion of the Desert

Play trailer Poster for Lion of the Desert PG 1981 2h 53m Biography History Drama Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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Lion of the Desert

Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times Aug 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. Go to Full Review
Michael Ventura L.A. Weekly Dec 29, 2021
This is a serious movie, done not greatly but seriously and well. It helps you read between the headlines. Go to Full Review
Bernard Drew Gannett News Service Oct 4, 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. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jul 18, 2011
A
It's one of the best anti-colonial Hollywood film ever (almost on a par with the Battle of Algiers). Go to Full Review
Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews Nov 18, 2006
An anti-colonial work that resonates with the struggle in Iraq today. Go to Full Review
Caffeinated Clint Film Threat Mar 18, 2006
A grand epic adventure that'll stand as a highpoint in the producing career of Moustapha Akkad Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Meri S @mschroeder Jun 30, 2026 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. See more V M. @IndianWarrior Nov 22, 2025 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….. See more Dodo D @RT40894128 Oct 7, 2025 Must-see movie, it’s educational for all walks of life. See more John H @JLHIII Feb 7, 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! See more Emilio T @MilloTPue Jul 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. See more May 14, 2020 Great I love it 👏👏👏👏 See more Read all reviews
Lion of the Desert

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Movie Info

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
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