At a glance
- Identifiers
- Wikidataimdb
- Review
- Draft Completeness 2/5 · Help complete it
Screening Room
- Format
- Film · About Islam
- Released
- 1981 CE · 1401 AH†
- Countries
- US · LY
- Languages
- en (original) · ar (dubbed)
- Approach
- historical drama
- Depiction of sacred figures
- The Prophet: Not applicable · Companions: Not applicable · Imams: Not applicable
- Titles in other languages
- Lion of the Desertعمر المختارأسد الصحراء
Reception
- Ban (IT). Banned in Italy from release; the ban was effectively lifted for a 2009 television broadcast.Historical
Where to watch officially: No official link recorded. · Listed, not endorsed.
Check it against the record:Omar al-Mukhtar
Overview
"Lion of the Desert" is a historical drama film released in 1981, produced in the United States and Libya, directed by Moustapha Akkad. Its leading performers include Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger, Raf Vallone and Irene Papas. Moustapha Akkad's film starring Anthony Quinn about the Libyan fighter Omar al-Mukhtar and his resistance to Italian colonialism; it was banned in Italy for decades because it showed the brutality of the fascist campaign. 1 2
Context and reception
This work deals with Omar al-Mukhtar, Libya, and the colonial era. It was banned in Italy. 1
Connections
- About
- Omar al-Mukhtar
- Set in
- Libya· The Colonial Era
- Features
- Anthony Quinn· Oliver Reed· Rod Steiger· Raf Vallone· Irene Papas· John Gielgud· Gastone Moschin· Stefano Patrizi
- Directed by
- Moustapha Akkad
- Written by
- H.A.L. Craig
People and things also explored
The Battle of Algiers· Payitaht: Abdülhamid· The Colonial Era· Resistance and terrorism — the dividing line· Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri· The Water Diviner· Days of Glory· Ceddo
Sources
- Wikidata
- IMDb
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Lion of the Desert”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/screen/umar-al-mukhtar-1981/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-17.