# Lion of the Desert (1981)

> A sweeping Libyan resistance epic pits Omar Mukhtar’s Bedouin fighters against Mussolini’s brutal colonial war machine.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/16068

## Facts

- Runtime: 173 min
- Genres: History, War, Drama
- Director: Moustapha Akkad
- Cast: Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger, John Gielgud, Andrew Keir, Gastone Moschin
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081059/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: graphic
- Mood: epic, somber, stirring, historical film night, epic cinema marathon

## Synopsis

A gripping tale of resistance against tyranny unfolds in the deserts of Libya.

## Movies like Lion of the Desert

- [Cromwell (1970)](https://ember.film/movie/19854)
- [The Battle of Algiers (1966)](https://ember.film/movie/10412)
- [Saladin (1963)](https://ember.film/movie/31120)
- [Barabbas (1961)](https://ember.film/movie/14311)
- [Spartacus (1960)](https://ember.film/movie/804)
- [The Message (1976)](https://ember.film/movie/626331)
- [Palestine 36 (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/7410678)
- [The Message (1976)](https://ember.film/movie/16067)
- [Lawrence of Arabia (1962)](https://ember.film/movie/788)
- [Zulu (1964)](https://ember.film/movie/8528)

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