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IMDb > Lion of the Desert (1981)
Lion of the Desert
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Lion of the Desert (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Lion of the Desert (1981) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   2,345 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
H.A.L. Craig (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Lion of the Desert on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 September 1981 (Finland) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A giant of a man against a general seeking glory...a spectacular adventure of arch enemies in battle.
Plot:
This movie is about Omar Mukhtar, a Muslim and Arabian rebellion who fought against the Italian conquering of Libya in WWI... more | full synopsis
NewsDesk:
'Halloween' Producer Buried in Syria
 (From WENN. 14 November 2005)

User Comments:
I worked on this film more (44 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Anthony Quinn ... Omar Mukhtar

Oliver Reed ... Gen. Rodolfo Graziani
Irene Papas ... Mabrouka
Raf Vallone ... Colonel Diodiece

Rod Steiger ... Benito Mussolini

John Gielgud ... Sharif El Gariani
Andrew Keir ... Salem
Gastone Moschin ... Major Tomelli
Stefano Patrizi ... Lt. Sandrini
Adolfo Lastretti ... Colonel Sarsani
Sky Dumont ... Prince Amadeo
Takis Emmanuel ... Bu-Matari
Rodolfo Bigotti ... Ismail
Robert Brown ... Al Fadeel
Eleonora Stathopoulou ... Ali's Mother
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Omar Mukhtar (UK) (closing credits title (pre-release title))
Omar Mukhtar: Lion of the Desert
more
Runtime:
173 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Cameras had to be brushed every two hours to keep them free of sand. The same was true of the film canisters that the editing team were working from, and all the firearm props which kept jamming as they were all clogged up. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: During the narrated introduction immediately following the opening credits, the Earth is depicted revolving backwards - west-to-east instead of east-to-west. more
Quotes:
[Omar Mukhtar protects two surviving Italian soldiers]
Omar Mukhtar: We do not kill *prisoners*!
Arab Warrior: *They* do it to *us*!
Omar Mukhtar: "They" are not our *teachers!*
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in 'Halloween': A Cut Above the Rest (2003) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Giovinezza more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
18 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
I worked on this film, 25 March 2003

In 1979 I was the Sound Recordist on 'Lion of The Desert' film of the film so had first hand experience of this terrific Production.

Moustapha Akkad is a first class Producer and the facilities he provided for the unit in the middle of the Libyan Desert were fantastic. I mention this because it had a strong influence on the subsequent quality of the film. I was recordist on the interviews and PR documentary material for this great film and I am proud to have been involved with it.

I had first hand experience with Anthony Quinn during the shoot. He was totally dedicated to his role. Olly Reed was able to put up a good performance but did give us a few problems with his usual antics! The rest of the cast were brilliant and the result impressive.

The scale of this Production was incredible and the thought that went into the organisation of it was amazing.

If you would like me to answer any further questions about this, please leave messages on my notice board. Look me up under Lionel Strutt. I did not receive a direct named credit on this production because I was working, as I said, on the film of the film or TV documentary. However I did spend months in the desert with the production and crew. So can relate a few interesting stories!

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more (44 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Lion of the Desert (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Best Line? nenue
Finally released in Italy bluemonday
director´s cut dvd info please stefan-andersson72
Should have a higher rating! martin_humble
Tactics most relevant today cqcav600
In Italy we can't Stepan-2
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