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