Lion of the Desert (1981)

Overview · Where to watch · Cast & crew · Reviews

He was a man of honor in a war without any.

Resistance leader Omar Mukhtar opposes Italian colonization before World War II. The brutal guerrilla war against Italian General Rodolfo Graziani and the Fascist forces of Benito Mussolini highlights the struggle for Libyan independence and the harsh tactics utilised by the colonisers.

• Released: 1981-04-17
• Genres: History, War, Drama
• Runtime: 2h 53m
• Status: Released
• TMDB rating: 7.3/10 from 211 votes

Directed by Moustapha Akkad.

Top cast

• Anthony Quinn as Omar al-Mukhtar
• Oliver Reed as General Rodolfo Graziani
• Irene Papas as Mabrouka
• Raf Vallone as Colonel Diodiece
• Rod Steiger as Benito Mussolini
• John Gielgud as Sharif El Gariani
• Andrew Keir as Salem
• Gastone Moschin as Major Tomelli
• Stefano Patrizi as Lieutenant Sandrini
• Adolfo Lastretti as Colonel Sarsani

Full cast & crew

Where to watch Lion of the Desert

• United States: watch free on Darkroom, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon MX Player; rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home; buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
• United Kingdom: stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads; watch free on Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Plex, Amazon MX Player; rent on Amazon Video, YouTube; buy on Amazon Video, YouTube
• India: watch free on Plex; rent on Amazon Video
• Canada: watch free on Tubi TV, Plex; rent on YouTube; buy on YouTube
• Australia: watch free on Tubi TV, Plex

Movies like Lion of the Desert

If you enjoyed Lion of the Desert, these movies have a similar feel:

• Palestine 36 (2025)
• The Longest Day (1962)
• Exodus (1960)
• Uprising (2001)
• Young Washington (2026)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin (2024)
• Flyboys (2006)
• Empire of the Sun (1987)
• Battle of the Bulge (1965)
• Gandhi (1982)
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