Description:

PAL format. American customers will need a PAL playback VCR to play this video.
Director/Producer: Moustapha Akkad
Assistant Producer: Nahila May Al-Jabri
Screenwriter: H.A.L. Craig
Cinematography: Jack Hildyard
Starring: Anthony Quinn , Oliver Reed, and Sir John Gielgud

1981. English Dialogue. Color. 159 Minutes.

Lion of the Desert is the action/drama epic of the struggle of Omar Mukhtar, leader of the Muslim resistance in North Africa in the 1920s and 30s, against the imperialism of Mussolini and the Italian army. Despite the challenge of overcoming the fascist Italian war machine with only faith and wisdom, the Muslims led by Mukhtar maintained their resistance and refused to be conquered.

The year is 1929 and dictator Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger) is still faced with the 20-year long war waged by Bedouin patriots to combat Italian colonization in Africa. Mussolini appoints General Rodolfo Graziani (Oliver Reed) governor of Libya, confident that he can crush the rebellion and restore the glories of Imperial Rome.

Inspirational in the Bedouin resistance toward the oppressors is the leadership of one man -- Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn). A teacher by profession, guerilla by obligation, Mukhtar has commited himself to a war that cannot be won in his lifetime.PAL (European Standard) video. Not compatible with USA NTSC standard.