I was amazed at the first-rate production values and excellent and fascinating historical period recreation of "Lion of the Desert", which I'd never heard about before stumbling upon it in the DVD rental shop this week. For starters, it's director, Moustapha Akkad, employed the same cinematographer and soundtrack composer that David Lean had for "Lawrence of Arabia", which is the film both historically and thematically related to "Lion". The lead players are Brits or Yanks, diminishing the impact of the film considerably (at least "Lawrence" had Omar Sharif play its most significant character other than O'toole in the title role). Having said that, credit must be given to Quinn, Steiger, Reid and Gielgud for giving solid and credible performances. The action scenes are pulled off with considerable élan. It's one of the last of the films with thousands of real extras, rather than computer generated soldiers, being masterfully orchestrated to provide great verisimilitude and a sense of genuine chaos which would be inherent in such pitched battles. Well worth watching is the "Making of" bonus material in which Director Akkad discloses not only his meticulous devotion to historical accuracy (battle scenes were filmed on the actual locations where they transpired, costumes copied from the extensive Italian photograph and film archives of the period, and even Mussolini's old barber was hired to cut Rod Steiger's hair precisely as the "Duce" had his done.) Akkad and his cast obviously were passionate about making this film in very difficult desert conditions, and it shows nearly every scene. I was particularly impressed with Reid's ability to make the villainous General Graziani seem an interesting, if repellent character.

I recommend this film highly to David Lean fans or anyone who likes to see historical epics unstintingly produced and handsomely mounted.

It was one poorly disguised fact that Libyan oil money made Lion Of The Desert under the supervision of President Muamar Khaddafy of Libya. I guess Khadafy was trying to inherit the leadership mantle of Muktar Oman who led resistance to the Italian occupation of what became Libya after World War II. Knowing that the guy whose idea of war was blowing up airliners with civilian passengers kind of sours the message that Lion Of The Desert is trying to bring.

Libya was grabbed off by Italy in the Balkan Wars which was kind of a dress rehearsal for several countries going into World War I. Previously the Bedouin territory was part of the decaying Ottoman Empire and Muktar Oman as played by Anthony Quinn is leading the resistance, still going on in the late Twenties.

But Italy has undergone the Fascist revolution and Benito Mussolini as played by Rod Steiger is now in charge. He's sending in one of his best generals Rudolfo Graziani played here by Oliver Reed. Graziani is just the kind of ruthless man that's needed to subdue the Bedouins if anyone can.

Reed and Quinn are an evenly matched pair of foes despite Italy having all the advantages of 20th Century armaments. Quinn however has the hearts and minds of the people.

The film was directed by Moustapha Akkad and it is miles better than his previous effort The Messenger about the founding of Islam. Still knowing who is financing the message does kind of sour the film. Perhaps one day it will be judged on its own merits.

In the Fascist Italy Pre-World War II of Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger),the cruel General Rodolfo Graziani (Oliver Reed) is directly assigned by Il Dulce to fight in the colonial war in Libya to vanquish the Arab nation. However, his troops are frequently defeated by the national leader Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn) and his army of Bedouins. But the Butcher of Ethiopia and Libya uses a dirty war against the natives, slaughtering children, women and aged people, to subdue Mukhtar.

"Lion of the Desert" is an epic masterpiece that shows part of the cruel colonization of Arab population, this time showing the fascist army of Mussolini in Libya.

This movie is simply among the best I have ever seen, with magnificent direction, performances, dialogs, cinematography and music score by Maurice Jarre. The work of Moustapha Akkad is perfect and it is amazing the reality of the battle scenes in a time where the industry did not use computer to simulate them. He also entwines footages from archive with the realistic scenes.

Anthony Quinn and Oliver Reed give the performance of their lives and their duel is among best in the cinema industry, and supported by names such as Irene Paps, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger and John Gielgud among others. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "O Leão do Deserto" ("The Lion of the Desert")