The Wind and the Lion

Rating:
Summary: A thrilling desert adventure
Review: Anyone who loves old-fashioned "swords in the desert" epics will adore this sweeping romance (with a touch of politics added in for good measure). It is the turn of the century, Europe has divided most of the world into its colonies, and American is just beginning to assert its own influence under charismatic president Teddy Roosevelt (played with tremendous energy by Brian Keith). Connery plays a dashing and well-spoken Berber chieftain who kidnaps an American woman (Candice Bergen) to spark rebellion in the Middle East against the French and the Germans. But this brings in the Americans, and good old Teddy sees a great opportunity to tweak the noses of Europe, get relected, and face down an "honorable" foe like Connery's Berber chieftain.

The desert scenes are all fantastic and filled with romance of the Arabian Nights, the thunder of horses hooves -- all of it scored with Jerry Goldsmith's thrilling music and shown in beautiful widescreen on the DVD. The action scenes are incredibly exciting, especially a scene of Connery taking on a band of kidnappers single-handed. In general, the Middle Eastern characters are treated with respect and fairness. The American scenes with Keith's Roosevelt are intelligent and well written and shed light on America's changing position in the world. (Yes, this is based on a real event, although much has been changed. It doesn't matter: it's a fiction that sheds much light on the actual world situation.)

Alltogether, this is a sweeping, superb adventure film that MUST be seen on DVD for the full effect. It has action, subtle romance, two great performances, and a bit of thoughtful politics in it to give you something to think about when it's all over.

Also recommeded from the same period: THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING. Another great Sean Connery period adventure film.

Rating:
Summary: The Scotish Sultan
Review: One of the greatest and most underappreciated movies of all time. There is nothing you can say about this film that can be explained in words. I recommend that every man, woman and child rent this movie, turn off every light in the house, and play it as loud as humanly possible. They don't make movies like they used to and this epic adventure is a true gem. Even if the lead charecter is an Arab man with a slight scottish accent. lol

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood Re-writes History (Again)
Review: This foray into historical fiction is mostly fiction and very little history. What did the movie get right?:
1. Perdicaris's were captured and held hostage by
2. Mohammed el Raisuli
What did it get wrong?:
1. Father & son Perdicaris were captured not mother and children (in fact Mother Perdicaris telephoned for help).
2. The event lasted 5 weeks not the months portrayed.
3. Not a shot was fired, in fact, Marines were specifically barred from using force.
4. The Perdicaris's were returned largely unharmed
SOURCE: "Theodore Rex" by Edmund Morris
It gets 2 stars only because Sean Connery is so laughably bad as an Arab (he shtill hash his sshlurring dialect) and worth the view--at least for awhile. Again Hollywood shows its knack for fiction when it deems history poor box office.

Rating:
Summary: I am SOOOOO depressed. (Spoilers)
Review: I have to give a John Milius film 5 stars. The skin on the tip of my finger started decaying and the bone turned to powder as my body reacted to try to prevent this from happening.

Alas, it is justified. To make matters far worse, not only did he direct it - he wrote the screenplay. I can credit one of Connery's best performances, his terrific chemistry with Candice Bergen, Brian Keith's Teddy Roosevelt, the metaphor of the title, the locations, but in the end it is the direction. All alone, the scene of Connery riding towards William Pedecaris (Simon Harrison) and scooping him up is glorious. There is so much wonder and beauty in here that it is easy to suspend common sense at the very silly idea of Mrs. Pedecaris letting her children go into battle to rescue The Rausuli.

This from the man who perpetrated a appalling waste of celluloid with Red Dawn. I guess there is some good in all of us.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking action, wit, wisdom, romance & history.
Review: Breathtaking action, wit, wisdom, romance & history unfold in this sweeping epic which is one of the very finest films ever made. This picture is so entertaining that it often takes your breath away, but it will also teach you many lessons. As our nation struggles with the threat of terrorism and conflict in the Middle East, the importance of those lessons has never been more relevant. You'll be struck by the music, the cinematography, the clever scipting, and the artful comparison of these seemingly barbarous Berber tribesman and the "frontier culture" of the budding American nation. Sean Connery is absolutely masterful and Candace Bergen is at the peak of her beauty and charm. Brian Kieth gives the finest performance of his career as he brings the larger-than-life persona of Teddy Roosevelt to the screen. As if that were not enough, the celebrated director, John Huston, gives us a wonderful and rare acting performance in his cameo role as John Hay, the U.S. Secretary of State. Based upon the true story behind the U.S. Marine Corp's invasion on "the shores of Tripoli", this historical epic is filled with larger than life drama, adventure and romance. It won several Academy Awards, but it really should have won Best Picture, and swept all the best acting awards. This is an exquisite picture...to be treasured, savored and enjoyed!

Rating:
Summary: Dittoes ad infinitum
Review: Scene: the Marines have overwhelmed the guards at the palace of the Bashaw. Their leader presents the point of his saber to the chest of the hookah-smoking Bashaw, "Captain Jerome, United States Marines", he says with a sly grin. "You are a dangerous man, Captain, and your President Roosevelt is mad," declares the Bashaw. Captain Jerome returns saber to scabbard, throws the Bashaw a snappy salute, and retorts, "Yessir!"

That so thoroughly expressed the proper attitude of an American addressing an old-world potentate - so far superior to the way so many Americans suck up to British royalty these days - that I cheer every time I see this scene. Needless to say, I've had a VHS copy for years and eagerly await the availability on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: A great film. Let's hope the 2004 DVD release is solid
Review: I saw this film as a kid in Phoenix in a 70mm print during the summer of 1975. It was amazing looking and sounding. I just saw a print here in NYC this summer at the Walter Reade Theater. Sadly, it was so grainy, scratchy and faded that I found myself sad that such a great piece of work is being so neglected. I've read that Warners Home Video will be releasing this film along with a few others that won a reader's poll on Turner Classic movies in January of 2004. I hope they make the effort to restore the negative on this one and preserve and protect a great piece of work. Aside from the great performances by Sean Connery, Brian Keith and Candice Bergen, the scenery is magnificent. I believe part of the film was shot in Spain. But you'd swear you were in the desert of 1904 where much of this epic takes place. Check this out when you have the chance. A great film for all ages and for the ages.

Rating:
Summary: Rejoice! DVD Release Jan 6, 2004
Review: That's right. Our long suffering will soon be over. Wind and the Lion is one of five winners of the MGM DVD Decison 2003 contest. The DVD will be released in Conjunction with Turner Classic Movies on Jan 6, 2004 and will include audio commentary by John Milius.

I first saw the film on a small black and white TV in the late 70's. Saw it on big screen a few years later at a revival festival. Have gone through three VHS copies. I teach a class in Film and Literature at the college level and W&L has always been number one on my list. This film is big spectacle adventure at its best. They truly don't make them like they used to. Now if they'll only reissue the soundtrack. My grandfather, father, and I were all career military officers.
This movie forever puts the P back in patriotism.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Movie
Review: Top ten of all time. Teddy Roosevelt depicted by Brian Keith as representative of the honor and character of the United States. Candace Bergen and Sean Connery are wonderful. My favorite scene/line is when the Marine Captain says "We aim to throw in with you, Maam" when Mrs. Pedicaris is going to rescue the Raisuli alone. What a great movie, inconceivable that it is not on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: making of "The Wind And The Lion"
Review: I am writing to say how great it is to see that people still appreciate and enjoy this movie. I am not associated in any way with anyone who made the movie and am speaking only for myself.
I was one of the US Marines in the move and was hired as an extra. At that time I was a real US Marine corporal stationed in Spain.

On the Dock scene, the Hispanic Sgt. was a real U.S. Marine Capt. and my Executive Officer. He was very valuable to the movie, being able to speak both English and Spanish.

As I recall this was the first movie that had ever used actual active duty soldiers from US and Spain together in a movie. They used Spanish soldiers throughout the movie as extra's . We (the real US Marines) spent time teaching them to march and learn english marching commands before they went to the set in Seville Spain.

I do recall being told that the President of the United States went to the opening And was said to have enjoyed it.

The writers and those who were making the movie had written only a very brief part for any Marine scenes. When we arrived to Seville, where they saw us for the very first time and demonstrated what we could do in the way of realistic action , they wrote in more scenes and the rest is movie history. Looking back now, The Marine Scenes are some of the important scenes and contribute greatly to the movie.

The parts where you see US Marines was filmed in two locations in Spain, the dock scene was filmed in Seville Spain and the desert scene was filmed in the hills of Almeria Spain, I believe this was the same location Lawrence of Arabia was filmed, many westerns were filmed there also. In total I was on location for about 45 days which is a long time for movie extras.

There was different groups of US military being called upon at any given time to work as extra's. Such as the palace guards.
But there was a core group of us U.S. Marines ( about 2 dozen total)who were used. We would film for a couple weeks, go back to work on base and out of no where there would be a request for us to come back to the set and film more scenes.. We would be given authorization from the Marine Corps Stateside to go, and soon after a Commercial Bus would pick us up and we would travel the long distance to the set. sometimes taking many hours to get there on those narrow country roads of Spain.

We went 3 different times. We were considered by The Corps to be Embassador's so there was no hesitation to let us go.
As a US Marine , I was honored and thankful for my opportunity to be a part of this great action film. I think it is more enjoyable now then ever and sure to become a classic.

The Actors, Sean Connery, Brian Keith, Candice Bergen, the director John Milius who I really owe the greatest thanks to for having the vision to include us in the movie, and all the rest were so kind and went out of their way to get us up close when they worked And would spend time with us in the evenings just visiting. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
I was just a young Marine of 19 years old, now 47 it seems like a lifetime ago. But I do as you enjoy pulling out the movie and watching it with my children and remembering ..thank you all who continue enjoy this movie - keeping it going. God Bless