The Wind and the Lion is an old-fashioned, romantic adventure tale set in turn of the century Morocco and Washington DC. Parallel stories, an ocean apart, the interlocking of which in many ways foretells the world we live in today.
President Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Keith) is facing an upcoming election. The nation is not thrilled about his handling of the Panama Canal project and although he is among the most popular presidents in many long years, re-election is anything but certain. Meanwhile, in Morocco, an American woman, Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergen) and her two children are kidnapped by Berber brigand Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli (Sean Connery), triggering a variety of international incidents.
All of this is taking place not long before the opening of the first world war, after which nothing will ever be the same again. All the European powers, as well as the U.S., Japan, Russia, and Turkey, have their eyes on strategically placed Morocco, headed by a weak sultan who is beset by civil unrest. The Pedecaris incident has given the various nations an opportunity to send in the troops.
And they do. All of them. Including, of course, America.
Meanwhile, out in the desert, there is Mrs. Pedecaris riding with the Berbers.
“You are a great deal of trouble, Mrs. Pedecaris,” says the Raisuli, sounding deliciously like James Bond. Indeed she is. Ah, but what a woman! My kind of woman, one who will take up a sword and fight — for herself, her children and what is right, by golly.
Out in the desert are the Raisuli and Mrs. Pedicaris. He’s brave, handsome and sits a horse like nobody’s business. And she’s beautiful, fearless and proud. What a pair. I have always thought Candice Bergen among the most beautiful women ever. In this movie, she is magnificent as is Connery. They play off each other wonderfully. I don’t know if you could call Sean Connery, as a Berber Chieftain, exactly believable, but he is stunning. Flashing eyes, sharp tongue. A master of wit and charm.
It was probably the best role Brian Keith ever got too. He is entirely believable as Teddy Roosevelt. I’m ready to vote for him. Why not? At least he was straightforward about wanting the United States to militarily dominate the world and he created the national parks system.
They don’t make’em like that anymore.
The score was composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith who used an ensemble including a large percussion section and many Moroccan instruments. The music is haunting and although Jaws composer John Williams won that year’s Oscar, the score for The Wind and the Lion is stunning, possibly Goldsmith’s best; it was one of the American Film Institute’s 250 nominees for top 25 American film scores.
Filmed in Spain where the director, John Milius, had previously filmed his spaghetti westerns (even the scenes set in D.C. were actually shot in Madrid), the cinematography is breathtaking. Broad vistas, magnificent sunsets, deserts and battles on horseback with scimitars at the ready.
The film is accurate and sympathetic to Islam, making it one of the few American movies to become popular in Arab countries. It’s refreshing to see a movie that doesn’t automatically assume the only possible valid religion is Christianity.
When I say romantic, I mean it in the epic sense of the word. It’s a world filled with heroes and heroines who are larger than life. There’s not a superpower among them, but nonetheless, superheroes abound.
It’s a great movie. Without a bit of gore, grit, or gristle. No zombies, chain saws or special effects. No CGI. Just great photography, a delicious script, and terrific acting.
Because that’s what it takes to make a wonderful movie. Everything else is wrapping paper and ribbons.
Categories: #Photography, Cinematography, Marilyn Armstrong, Movie Review, Movies, Music, Romance, War and battles
I enjoyed this one years ago and may watch again!
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I never saw it. I’m going to have to check it out. One of my favorite Sean Connery movies is “The Man Who Would Be King” with Michael Caine. I assume you’ve seen that one.
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I’ll have to see. I have forgotten all my movies. Even my favorites. I’m rewatching all the golden oldies so I can get rid of all my VHS tapes. Yep, I still have a TV able to play them. Watching “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” now. Just finished “When Harry Met Sally” which didn’t age well. This one does, though. Watching “Sabrina” next. The original. I guess I’m a chick flicky sorta gal.
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My husband is a chick flicky kind of guy. He just loves sentimental movies. Sabrina is a favorite — the original, please. Have you seen “The Lion in Winter”? Speaking of wit …
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Ah yes.. A long time ago. Was it Katherine Hepburn?
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“I’m a chick flicky sorta gal.” Yeah, I’d say so! So’s my wife and her favorite is “Pretty Woman.”
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I should watch that again. Yep, I have it.
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Life, yes, I’m a sucka for romantic films. “Love Letters”, “Portrait of Jennie”, “One Way Passage”, “Tender Comrade”, “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”, “Waterloo Bridge”, “Susan Slade”, “The Enchanted Cottage”, “Brief Encounter”, “A Stolen Life”, etc.
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Oh yeah. I hated that stupid bridge, but it was so very Rudyard Kipling.
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Fandango, yes, we have. Hey, did you know that John Huston originally wanted Bogie and Gable for the leads?
Another good Connery flick is “The Hill”. This is a strong, sometimes unpleasant film but, at the time, it allowed Connery to show his acting chops beyond 007.
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I did not know that about Bogie and Gable, but yeah, I can see that. I’m not sure I’ve seen “The Hill.” I look into it.
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Gulp. “It’s a great movie. Without a bit of gore, grit, or gristle?” Way too much gore, grit and gristle for me. Beheadings, a severed hand gripping a phone, mainly battle scenes. I also found all the pomp and pride of the puffed up men in power too reminiscent of modern power brokers. Candace Bergen was lovely and Sean Connery pretty. Beyond this, I spent most of the movie with my eyes closed. Just can’t take all this violence in the world or in my entertainment.
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No phones. No severed hands gripping phones. Beheading, but no visual of rolling heads. No spurting blood. But really — there weren’t any telephones.
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Exactly 7.14 minutes into the film is the severed arm and hand holding onto the phone during the schene where they are for no reason wrecking Candace Bergen’s home and killing all her servants prior to abducting her. The severed head is in a beach scene. The whole movie a bunch of bloody men spreading devastation for the fun of it–U.S. soldiers included in the “march” up to the Sultan’s palace, wreaking havoc as they went. Bloody men!! Not meaning to rain on your movie. Just so sick of violence as entertainment.
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Well, you certainly have a point. To a degree, I find fake movie violence refreshing. Real people aren’t dying in the street. The dead get back up, dust themselves off and go to the canteen for lunch. That’s MY kind of violence.
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Marilyn.. I sent you emails of screen shots of the severed arm with the hand holding onto the telephone. Never let it be said that I don’t like to win an argument!! Ha…oxox
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I have no problem losing an argument and I always appreciate appropriate evidence for the jury.
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Sorry for that gory evidence.
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Life, I know the scenes you’re talking about.
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Definitely a good one.
Leslie
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Love this film. It was popular at the time but has fallen into obscurity since. Great choice!
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Sean, let’s lift it out of obscurity.
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It’s all the things I love about historical epic movies. The music and cinematography are brilliant. I can’t watch “Lawrence of Arabia.” Too long, too … something … but I can watch this every day 😀
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I must admit — I’ve never seen “Lawrence of Arabia”.
I did see John Mills in “Ross” in London’s West End — more than 50 years ago. A different rift on Lawrence. Mills was wonderful.
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It’s also refreshing to know that many who practice Islam aren’t twisted fundamentalist morons out to kill you. Sad that some of those countries had allowed such types to become their rulers.
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Well, hell, look at the U.S. How did THAT happen?
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Ooh, I remember this but never saw it. It’s right up my alley and on my list
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It is very good. Super romantic, too. Without, however, any sex.
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Ksbeth, you should find this one ASAP. It’s grand old style entertainment. A crackerjack flick that’ll leave you smiling.
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I don’t think I’ve seen this movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading your review. You have a wonderful wit. Connery and Bergen? You can’t go wrong. I’m very curious to hear the sound track.
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It has a wonderful soundtrack and if you can find the movie, you will love it. It also has brilliant cinematography … and then there’s Sean Connery.
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😊
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Sean Connery, like Richard Burton, could read the phone book and it would be riverting entertainment. Do we still have phone books?
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Robin, get thee out to find this flick. You’ll love it. Old fashion adventure with larger than life stars. The Connery-Bergen characters are swell. You’ll ffind yourself smiling and applauding. Really! The soundtrack is astounding.
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Will do!!
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Thank you so much for this. Lately I’ve been feeling greatly in need of such a movie. I missed it first time around.
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it’s one of my favorites. The romance, the passion. Greatness and humor. A really fine script. Wonderful music and cinematography. And of course, Sean Connery in a turban.
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I CAN’T REMEMBER OOPS if I saw this, Marilyn, but you certainly make me want to see it now.
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I have seen it a bunch of times, but now I want to see it again. I’m pretty sure we have it on DVD, but the sound for our DVD player isn’t working and I can’t figure out why not.
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Life, you really need to find this one. You’ll love it. It’s a throwback film that really works. We await your take.
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Yes.. I put the machine in action to get it. And very willling to share my take.
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you can say that again, old movies great stories, enjoy the weekend Marilyn
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You too! It’s supposed to be a lovely weekend. Hot, but lovely.
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Marilyn, I agree all the way. “The Wind And The Lion ” is a delicious, old-fashion adventure film. Top shelf Connery, delicious Candice Bergen, Brian Keith (yes, his FINEST performance. Shudda been more like this one), John Huston playing John Huston as TR’s aide. The 2 kids were fun. Steve Canary (??) was a young John Wayne as a tough Marine. Gorgeous photography. A throwback popcorn movie that always fun to revisit. Roy Jenson, normally a thug, was fine as a “tough as nails” Gyrene who admired Bergren’s grit.
Brian (TR) Keith’s scene with the big bear was both fun and touching.
Wish they’d make more like this. Wonderful (historical) adventure for grownups.
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thanks Marilyn, time for a cocktail beside the pool, enjoy
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I can hear Jimmie Rodgers singing “The Long, hot summer”.
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in the heat of the night, sidney poitier
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“They call me MISTER Tibbs”
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