Lion of the Desert (1981)

December 31, 2022
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The Lion of the Desert (1981)    Listen Movie Details
Happiness Meter
7.337/10 73%
Average of Ratings
79%
World Popularity
1%
Internet Movie Database
82%
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
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Movie basic details

Current status - Released
Total runtime - 173 mins.
Release date - 17-04-1981
Release year - 1981
Genres - Action, History, War

Overall ratings and scores for The Lion of the Desert:
Happiness Score - 7.337/10, World Popularity Score - 11.474/100, IMDB Score - 8.2, Metascore - N/A, Internet Movie Database - 8.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes - 75%, .
The Lion of the Desert movie has Total Global Votes - 126, Total IMD Votes - 15,726

The Lion of the Desert Movie Introduction: Movie The Lion of the Desert, release year 1980 is written by David Butler, H.A.L. Craig, Paul Thompson and directed by Moustapha Akkad. The leading star-cast in this movie are Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger along with the other stars and crew members.

Trailers, Clips, Featurettes and Behind the Scenes


Lion of the Desert - Trailer

Movie overview and plot by

Movie in-short: In 1929, Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini appoints General Rodolfo Graziani as colonial governor to Italian Libya with orders to stamp-out all resistance from Libyan nationalists led by rebel guerrilla leader Omar Mukhtar.

Movie story-line: This movie tells the story of Omar Mukhtar, an Arab Muslim rebel who fought against the Italian conquest of Libya in WWII. It gives western viewers a glimpse into this little-known region and chapter of history, and exposes the savage means by which the conquering army attempted to subdue the natives.

Movie synopsis: In Fascist Italy pre-World War II, the cruel General Rodolfo Graziani is directly assigned by Benito Mussolini 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 and his army of Bedouins. But the Butcher of Ethiopia and Libya uses a dirty war against the natives, slaughtering women, children, and aged people, to subdue Mukhtar.

Highlights - The Lion of the Desert (1981)

Total budget - $35,000,000.00
Total revenue - $1,500,000.00
Produced by - Falcon International Productions
Produced in - Libyan Arab JamahiriyaUnited States of America
Available languages - Arabic (العربية), English (English), Italian (Italiano),
Homepage URL -
Awards won / Nominations - N/A
Certificate(s) - PT : M/12 SE : 15 US : PG FR : 16

Lead Actors, Writer(s), Director(s) of The Lion of the Desert (1981)

Lead Actors - Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger
Writer(s) - David Butler, H.A.L. Craig, Paul Thompson
Director(s) - Moustapha Akkad

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) about The Lion of the Desert (1981)

What is the release date of The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
Release date of The Lion of the Desert (1981) is 17-04-1981.


What is the total runtime of The Lion of the Desert (1981) in minutes?
Total runtime of The Lion of the Desert (1981) in minutes is 173 min.


What is the budget consumed to produce The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie?
The budget consumed to produce The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie is around $35,000,000.00.


How much revenue is expected from movie The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
Expected revenue from movie movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) is around $1,500,000.00.


What is the pupularity of The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
Worldwide pupularity of The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie is 11.474%.


What is the name of the production company of film The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
Production company of film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is/are Falcon International Productions, .


Which country the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is produced in?
Film production country for the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, United States of America, .


Which language the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is produced in?
Film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is produced in Arabic (العربية), English (English), Italian (Italiano), language(s).


Which Genre the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) belongs to?
Movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) is categorized under Biography, Drama, History genre(s).


Who are the lead actors of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
Lead actors of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) are Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger.


Who is the writer of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
The writer(s) of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is/are David Butler, H.A.L. Craig, Paul Thompson.


Who is the director of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981)?
The director(s) of the film The Lion of the Desert (1981) is/are Moustapha Akkad.


Which awards, nominations and recognitions are won by The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie?
Movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) has N/A awards and nomination in it's profile.


What is the story of The Lion of the Desert (1981) in-short?
Short plot of movie The Lion of the Desert (1981): In 1929, Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini appoints General Rodolfo Graziani as colonial governor to Italian Libya with orders to stamp-out all resistance from Libyan nationalists led by rebel guerrilla leader Omar Mukhtar..


What is the full story of The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie?
Full plot of movie The Lion of the Desert (1981): In Fascist Italy pre-World War II, the cruel General Rodolfo Graziani is directly assigned by Benito Mussolini 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 and his army of Bedouins. But the Butcher of Ethiopia and Libya uses a dirty war against the natives, slaughtering women, children, and aged people, to subdue Mukhtar..


Where to find full details of The Lion of the Desert (1981) movie?
You can find the full details of movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081059


Where to stream or watch movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) online?
You can stream or watch online movie The Lion of the Desert (1981) on Netflix, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, Shahid VIP, Amazon Video, Watchbox, Plex, Tubi TV, YouTube, Filmin, wavve, Naver Store, Horizon, IndieFlix, The Roku Channel, .


List of full Starcast and crew members of The Lion of the Desert (1981)

Full Starcast:

profie photo of Anthony QuinnName: Anthony Quinn
Character: Omar Mukhtar

profie photo of Rod SteigerName: Rod Steiger
Character: Benito Mussolini

profie photo of Oliver ReedName: Oliver Reed
Character: Gen. Rodolfo Graziani

profie photo of Irene PapasName: Irene Papas
Character: Mabrouka

profie photo of Raf ValloneName: Raf Vallone
Character: Colonel Diodiece

profie photo of John GielgudName: John Gielgud
Character: Sharif El Gariani

profie photo of Andrew KeirName: Andrew Keir
Character: Salem

profie photo of Gastone MoschinName: Gastone Moschin
Character: Major Tomelli

profie photo of Stefano PatriziName: Stefano Patrizi
Character: Lt. Sandrini

profie photo of Adolfo LastrettiName: Adolfo Lastretti
Character: Colonel Sarsani

profie photo of Sky du MontName: Sky du Mont
Character: Prince Amadeo

profie photo of Takis EmmanuelName: Takis Emmanuel
Character: Bu-Matari

profie photo of Rodolfo BigottiName: Rodolfo Bigotti
Character: Ismail

profie photo of Robert BrownName: Robert Brown
Character: Al Fadeel

profie photo of Eleonora StathopoulouName: Eleonora Stathopoulou
Character: Ali's mother

profie photo of Luciano BartoliName: Luciano Bartoli
Character: Captain Lontano

profie photo of Franco FantasiaName: Franco Fantasia
Character: Governor General

profie photo of Luciano CatenacciName: Luciano Catenacci
Character: Italian Sergeant

profie photo of Claudio GoraName: Claudio Gora
Character: President of the Court

profie photo of Giordano FalzoniName: Giordano Falzoni
Character: Judge at Camp

profie photo of Ihab WerfaliName: Ihab Werfali
Character: Ali

profie photo of Ewen SolonName: Ewen Solon
Character: Italian Tank Commander

profie photo of Loris BazzocchiName: Loris Bazzocchi
Character:

profie photo of Alec MangoName: Alec Mango
Character:

profie photo of Filippo De GaraName: Filippo De Gara
Character:

profie photo of George SweeneyName: George Sweeney
Character: Captain Biagi

profie photo of Victor BaringName: Victor Baring
Character:

profie photo of Pietro BrambillaName: Pietro Brambilla
Character: Young Soldier

profie photo of Pietro TordiName: Pietro Tordi
Character: Field Marshall

profie photo of Mario FelicianiName: Mario Feliciani
Character: Lobitto

profie photo of Gianfranco BarraName: Gianfranco Barra
Character: Abdul

profie photo of Piero GerliniName: Piero Gerlini
Character: Barillo

profie photo of Lino CapolicchioName: Lino Capolicchio
Character: Captain Bedendo

profie photo of Lorenzo PianiName: Lorenzo Piani
Character: Prisoner Escort

profie photo of Tom FelleghyName: Tom Felleghy
Character: Italian General (uncredited)

profie photo of Mark ColleanoName: Mark Colleano
Character: Infantry Corporal (uncredited)

profie photo of Angelo RagusaName: Angelo Ragusa
Character: Arab Caught in Barbed Wire (uncredited)

profie photo of Amedeo SalamonName: Amedeo Salamon
Character: Man Watching Trail (uncredited)

profie photo of Alfonso GigantiName: Alfonso Giganti
Character: Military Judge (uncredited)

profie photo of Scott Richard FensomeName: Scott Richard Fensome
Character: Machine Gun Sergeant (uncredited)

Crew Members:

profie photo of Maurice JarreName: Maurice Jarre
Department: Sound
Job/Role: Original Music Composer

profie photo of John ShirleyName: John Shirley
Department: Editing
Job/Role: Editor

profie photo of Syd CainName: Syd Cain
Department: Art
Job/Role: Production Design

profie photo of Syd CainName: Syd Cain
Department: Production
Job/Role: Production Designer

profie photo of Glenn Randall Jr.Name: Glenn Randall Jr.
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Stunt Coordinator

profie photo of Maude SpectorName: Maude Spector
Department: Production
Job/Role: Casting

profie photo of Roy AlonName: Roy Alon
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Stunts

profie photo of Jack HildyardName: Jack Hildyard
Department: Camera
Job/Role: Director of Photography

profie photo of Giorgio DesideriName: Giorgio Desideri
Department: Art
Job/Role: Art Direction

profie photo of Geoffrey HelmanName: Geoffrey Helman
Department: Production
Job/Role: Executive Producer

profie photo of Alan BoyleName: Alan Boyle
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Makeup Artist

profie photo of Mario GarbugliaName: Mario Garbuglia
Department: Art
Job/Role: Production Design

profie photo of Roy StevensName: Roy Stevens
Department: Production
Job/Role: Associate Producer

profie photo of Moustapha AkkadName: Moustapha Akkad
Department: Directing
Job/Role: Director

profie photo of Moustapha AkkadName: Moustapha Akkad
Department: Production
Job/Role: Producer

profie photo of H.A.L. CraigName: H.A.L. Craig
Department: Writing
Job/Role: Writer

profie photo of Bob BellName: Bob Bell
Department: Art
Job/Role: Art Direction

profie photo of Orietta Nasalli-RoccaName: Orietta Nasalli-Rocca
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Costume Design

profie photo of David ButlerName: David Butler
Department: Writing
Job/Role: Writer

profie photo of Sergio MioniName: Sergio Mioni
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Stunts

profie photo of Neville SmallwoodName: Neville Smallwood
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Makeup Artist

profie photo of Maurice CainName: Maurice Cain
Department: Art
Job/Role: Art Direction

profie photo of Miguel GilName: Miguel Gil
Department: Directing
Job/Role: First Assistant Director

profie photo of Terry GlassName: Terry Glass
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Special Effects

profie photo of Mohammad SanousiName: Mohammad Sanousi
Department: Production
Job/Role: Producer

profie photo of James BawdenName: James Bawden
Department: Camera
Job/Role: Camera Operator

profie photo of Dino GalianoName: Dino Galiano
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Special Effects Technician

profie photo of Piero CicolettiName: Piero Cicoletti
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Costume Design

profie photo of Adalgisa FavellaName: Adalgisa Favella
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Hairstylist

profie photo of Kit WestName: Kit West
Department: Crew
Job/Role: Special Effects

profie photo of Kit WestName: Kit West
Department: Visual Effects
Job/Role: Special Effects Supervisor

profie photo of Alvaro RomagnoliName: Alvaro Romagnoli
Department: Lighting
Job/Role: Gaffer

profie photo of Giorgio VenturoliName: Giorgio Venturoli
Department: Directing
Job/Role: Second Assistant Director

profie photo of June BordcoshName: June Bordcosh
Department: Production
Job/Role: Associate Producer

profie photo of Nahila May Al-JabriName: Nahila May Al-Jabri
Department: Production
Job/Role: Producer's Assistant

profie photo of Graham FarrowName: Graham Farrow
Department: Editing
Job/Role: Assistant Editor

profie photo of Paola RoliName: Paola Roli
Department: Production
Job/Role: Casting

profie photo of Hassan Ben DardafName: Hassan Ben Dardaf
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Costume Design

profie photo of Ahmed Hassan HassanName: Ahmed Hassan Hassan
Department: Costume & Make-Up
Job/Role: Makeup Artist

Movie Posters and Wallapapers - The Lion of the Desert (1981)

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Reviews Section

rated 2.5 out of 5
June 23, 2021

***“Braveheart” in the Libyan desert with Quinn, Reed and Steiger*** After twenty years of failing to remove Bedouin rebels during the Italian colonization (aka invasion) of Libya, Mussolini (Rod Steiger) sends formidable General Graziani (Oliver Reed) in 1931 to take care of the problem. Anthony Quinn plays the titular protagonist and leader of the freedom-fighting Libyans. Did you ever wonder why “Lion of the Desert” (1980) is so obscure? It cost $35 million, has three big name stars, was shot on location and is epic in scope, but it only grossed $1 million worldwide and sits alongside other big money losers of the time period, like “Heaven's Gate” (1980) and “Inchon” (1981). Was it because it was supported by Gaddafi? Was it because it portrayed the Italians in a bad light and freedom-fighting Libyans as the protagonists? Or maybe it simply lacked the pizzazz to draw audiences. For me, it’s the last one. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of good in this historical film and the movie perks up whenever Steiger and Reed are on the screen; Quinn too, but less so. And you can’t beat the authentic locations and action/adventure; the cliff-gorge battle, for instance, is a treat. Yet there’s something meh about the overall proceedings. It lacks the artistic style of “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962). It doesn’t help that the first act is relatively tedious and the action doesn’t kick-in until the 40 minute mark. Since the movie lights up whenever Reed and Quinn are on the screen (Steiger’s Mussolini being a minor character), the script should’ve focused more on their characters. When these two opponents finally confront each other at the end it’s gripping drama. But the rest of the movie isn’t so compelling, disregarding the positives noted. Furthermore, the propagandizing Libyan bias is laughable. Still, if you like flicks like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Braveheart” (1995), it’s worth checking out. The movie runs 2 hours, 54 minutes and was shot in Libya and Italy. GRADE: C+


-- Wuchak

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