Lion of the Desert (1981) - PG

This desert epic chronicles the efforts of the Libyan hero Omar Mukhtar, who inspired his nation to repulse the Italian invasion of 1929. Anthony Quinn plays Mukhtar, who organizes Libyan fighters to hold off invading Italian troops under the command of General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed), who are acting under direct orders from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger). Inspired by the courageous Mukhtar, the Libyans, facing Italian tanks and guns with their Bedouin troops on horseback, hold off the Italians for twenty years, until the capture and execution of Mukhtar.

The cast includes: Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas, Raf Vallone, Rod Steiger, and John Gielgud.

Directed by: Moustapha Akkad.