Review of The Wind and the Lion (1975) by Sarmad B — 20 Oct 2007

"The Wind and the Lion" takes place in Morocco in 1904, where a group of Berbers kidnaps an American woman and her children, starting a diplomatic incident. The story draws some facts from the Perdicaris incident of 1904, but is mostly a highly embellished adventure story. The film features sweeping scenes and sets and a memorable score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Sean Connery has a memorable role as the Raisuli, the leader of the group of brigand Berbers that takes Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergen) hostage. The Raisuli is a thoughtful man with a vicious streak towards those that oppose his agenda. Bergen is appropriately fiery and stubborn as Eden Pedecaris. The interplay between hostage and captor forms part of the story. This part of the story suffers some slow points, but proves interesting overall. It is interesting how there is naturally friction between the two, but that they are also able to have thoughtful conversations and even chess matches.

The other aspect of the story examines President Theodore Roosevelt's hypothetical response to the situation. Brian Keith has the most memorable performance of the film as the energetic, popular and iron-willed leader. Roosevelt insists that a grizzly bear best represents America's image rather than a "dandified" eagle.

The political responses in the story prove interesting. The film is effective at giving a sense of the international forces at work in Morocco in 1904. There is a sense of European encroachment and the imminence of World War I. On the other hand, the film also gives a sense of the growing power of America and its "big stick". How American officials decide to act in Morocco and their rationalization for doing so is both audacious and humorous at the same time. All of the various forces in the film blow up in one, impressive final conflict that satisfactorily ends the film.