The Wind and the Lion
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Movie Reviews of The Wind and the Lion
Movie Review: Great movie combined with great actors, story and actions...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a movie where most people would have a hard time not liking it. Its has everything anyone wants, unspoken romance, actions and intelligent script. I did have some problem with Sean Connery as the Berber chieftain but he played the role well and if a Berber were taught English by a Scotsman, he would sound just like Connery. Brian Keith played Teddy Roosevelt to a perfection. I think Keith had all the best lines of the movie and many of things he said about our nation sounds more real today then ever before. Candice Bergan was wonderful as well and there was a definite chemisty between Bergan and Connery that make the movie work. There might be one stick that get stuck in many people's throats and that is that Sean Connery plays a very honorable man of Islam. When his character stated that Raisuli don't make war on women and children, he sounded bit insulted that a true warrior of Islam might be considered to scooped so low. A true patriot in his own eyes, Connery's portrayal of an Islamic leader run contarary to what many Americans see today, especially after 9-11 and many Islamic terrorist attacks directed at women and children. (I was told that this movie is quite popular in Islamic nations for Connery's portrayal of a true and honorable warrior of Islam.)
The DVD of this movie proves to be a must-buy for me. Its in anamorphic widescreen and at least for my basic TV, it looked very good. The audio is in 5.1 DD but its not very active as you hope to be. Still the sounds are pretty clear and background material are separated nicely. There are your director's commentary and making of the movie feature included but that is all from the extra feature department.
Considering that this movie was made in mid-1970s when America's power was ebbing after the Vietnam War and we were in an "anti-pro-active" stage, this story of Berber chieftain kidnapping an American woman and her children which generated a pure imperialistic response from the United States, must have been a rarity to hit the screens at that period.
Movie Review: Lost Gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
I could not believe that no one had written a review for this lovely movie. The story that is told here (with quite a bit of hollywood license) relates to an actual incident involving an US citizen Ion Perdicaris and his wifes' son whom were kidnapped by Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli - a bandit. The movie changes the names and characters somewhat but stays true to the spirit of the times. The Raisuli is played masterfully by Sean Connery - there is just the right amount of dash, ego and terror in the mix to make him memorable. Candice Bergen plays Ms. Pedicaris (note the name/gender change) whom with her two children are kidnapped for ransom. The interplay between Bergen and Connery is electric and suggests the clash between Muslim and Western beliefs that echoes on the horizon today in the modern Arabic states. Equally satisfying is the portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt by Brian Keith - Mr. Keith brings the vigor, the bluster and the adolescent qualities that we think applies to Teddy Roosevelt to the screen. Teddy is indeed bigger than life and ultimately too human as well.
The movie is directed by John Milius - a man noted for his attention to detail. So much so that the uniforms, the weapons and military procedure of the golden era are correct and are distinct characters within the movie.
You will find an additional character actor of note - John Huston as Secretary of State John Hay - who counterbalances President Roosevelts' bluster with expressions of concern about political acumen and snatches of sarcasm. While some liberties have been taken with the original facts, this in no way detracts from the power of this movie as entertainment and provides this viewer with an occasional afternoon of enchantment filled with visions of warriors dashing across the screen fighting back the machine gun and modern weapons with the simple tools of courage, honor and the bluff. Highly recommended!!!!!
Movie Review: A thrilling desert adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Rousing desert swashbuckler with a touch of romance!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sean Connery was searching for a way to establish himself away from James Bond, and this movie went a long way to do so. You can see why the character attracted Connery, a strong powerful male, a bit of a hold over in a changing world. It's based on a true story (though the kidnapee was an overweight man in the real world), but in Hollywood it is Candice Berger (at her most beautiful) and her son and daughter, who are taken by Connery. He is a rebel with a cause, fighting his brother who is being corrupted by every foreign power imaginable. The country is run by a very young man, thought the real power sits with The Bashaw of Tangier (Vladek Sheybal doing his usual droll performance to perfection). In order to make a statement, Mulay Achmed Mohammed el-Raisuli the Magnificent (Connery) kidnaps Berger and her two kids. Thus starts a battle of will between Connery and Brian Keith (Teddy Roosevelt) - the wind and the lion. You even get John Houston is a great role, providing a riotous touch of humour.Candice is no missish miss, but is capable to handling herself and her fear, while the children view it as a great adventure.
However, the romance between Connery and Berger (though lightly done), really hurts in today's political world. Many won't view the taking of hostages or the killing of Berger's household during her abduction quite in the shame light after the many more recent hostages takings in the Middle East nor the 911 attack. So the topic might now sit so well in this day and time.
Shame because it is John Milus (directed and wrote) at his best, Connery at his most playful and fun tale, if you can divorce yourself from the realities of kidnapping and murder.
Movie Review: an outrageous "WHAT IF" ending of a real historical incident
Summary: 5 Stars
This FICTIONAL story is based VERY LOOSELY on the real kidnapping of Ion Perdicaris, an Americanized Greek playboy whose family had renounced their U.S. citizenship, and an Englishman named Cromwell Varley during May 1904 by the bandit Mulay Hamid El Raisuli. History and fiction coincided only to the extent that U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt did send several gunboats to Morocco to bring pressure on the Moroccan Sultan to bargain for the release of the hostages. Historians will tell you that "Teddy" did indeed wave his "big stick" at the Moroccan government, but never had to actually use it because the Sultan did meet the ransom demand and the hostages were released with no blood spilt. Instead of showing how this kidnapping incident ended peacefully without violence, John Milius presents us with a rather outrageous "WHAT IF" scenerio. WHAT IF Morocco refused to help the U.S. towards a release of the hostages??? The hypothetical result is a full-blown toppling of the Morrocan government by the American military and a big gun fight between El Raisuli's bandits and the Sultan's German mercenary army. For good measure, Milius presented the hostage not as a fat man in his 60s but as a tough American widow in her 30s who falls sort of in love with the charismatic bandit, played marvelously by Sean Connery, who originally kidnapped her to hurt American prestige. This is a fun story with impressive battle scenes, but do not mistake it for real history.