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Lion of the Desert

1981·Movie
2h 53min·PG
78
GreatGoodWatch score

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Lion of the Desert fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Violent and thrilling

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Violence8
  • Adrenaline7
  • Tension7

Heart

Moving and cathartic

  • Pathos7
  • Catharsis7
  • Melancholy6

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Wit & Wordplay2
  • Dark Humor2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

History, war, and a real life story

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances

  • Acting8
  • Direction7
  • Character Depth7

Style

Standout cinematography and score

  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition8
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something to laugh atGraphic violence bothers you

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Historical EpicColonial WarfareBiopicArab ResistanceItalian OccupationPolitical DramaBrutal ConflictTragic HeroCultural Clash

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Lion of the Desert

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Lion of the Desert legally?

Lion of the Desert is included with a subscription to Philo and AMC+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Fandango at Home Free, Plex, and Darkroom. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Lion of the Desert worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79/100 (IMDb 8.2 and Rotten Tomatoes 75%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Lion of the Desert rated?

PGViolence

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is Lion of the Desert?

2 h 53 min

Lion of the Desert runs 2 h 53 min.

Is Lion of the Desert based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on Lion of the Desert?

Critics75
Audiences88

Not quite. Audiences rate Lion of the Desert higher (88) than critics (75). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was Lion of the Desert a box office hit?

Budget$35 million
Box office$2 million

No. It cost about $35 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 4% of its budget.

What language is Lion of the Desert in?

EnglishArabicItalian

It was made in English, with some Arabic, Italian. Produced in Libya, United States, United Kingdom.

In how many countries can I watch Lion of the Desert?

132ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+118

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Lion of the Desert in 132 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Lion of the Desert use?

The ButcherEvil OverlookerHistorical Domain CharacterEvil ColonialistPropaganda HeroSuicide AttackTaglineUnderestimating BadasserySpare a MessengerToken Good TeammateRock Beats Laser

TV Tropes lists 11 storytelling tropes for Lion of the Desert, including The Butcher, Evil Overlooker, Historical Domain Character.