Lion of the Desert (1981): Plot, Cast & Where to Watch

Name: Lion of the Desert
Genre: History, War, Drama
Released: 1981
Duration: 173 min
Cast: Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger

What Lion of the Desert Is About

In 1929, as part of his plan to rebuild the Roman Empire, Mussolini sends General Graziani to complete the conquest of Libya. Facing him is Omar Mukhtar, an elderly teacher who has been running a guerrilla war in the desert for years. An army with overwhelming numbers and equipment gets nowhere against a small resistance that knows the ground, and Italy turns to concentration camps and collective punishment. Directed by Moustapha Akkad, the film was kept out of Italian cinemas for many years. Anthony Quinn plays Mukhtar and Oliver Reed plays Graziani.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lion of the Desert about?

In 1929, as part of his plan to rebuild the Roman Empire, Mussolini sends General Graziani to complete the conquest of Libya. Facing him is Omar Mukhtar, an elderly teacher who has been running a guerrilla war in the desert for years.

Where can I watch Lion of the Desert?

Lion of the Desert is available to watch on digital platforms such as Shahid VIP, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.

How long is Lion of the Desert?

Lion of the Desert runs for 173 minutes (2h 53m).

When did Lion of the Desert come out?

Lion of the Desert was released in 1981.

Who directed Lion of the Desert?

Lion of the Desert was directed by Moustapha Akkad.

Who stars in Lion of the Desert?

Lion of the Desert stars Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas, Raf Vallone.

What is Lion of the Desert's rating?

Lion of the Desert holds 8.2/10 on IMDb and 7.4/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 81 out of 100.