Review of Lion of the Desert (1981) by Dina B — 05 Jan 2009

I've learned quite a lot about Omar Al-Mukhtar growing up, from school, from my parents and whenever the resistance in Libya got mentioned. And to finally watch all of that in a movie, and not any movie, but one that was marvelously and perfectly crafted to every last detail made me watch it countless times..

An accurate representation that shows the facts surrounding the Libyan revolt lead byOmar Al-Mukhtar who was spectacularly portrayed by Anthony Quinn..

Oliver Reed delivers a top notch performance too as General Rodolfo Graziani..

But having read Jeff Shannon's review on it-I'm sure a lot of you know him and have read reviews of his-I found it extremely racist and offensive.. I don't think it should matter who financed a movie as long as it's good!

I also can't see how using the sentence"under a shaggy Muslim beard" to describe Anthony Quinn in the movie, is considered reviewing a movie at all, it's just being out of line and unprofessional!!

Anyway it is one of the most underrated historical epics featuring great battlefield scenes.. A personal favorite of mine when it comes to the genre that should not be missed..