Lion of the Desert
“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.
Where to watch Lion of the Desert in United States
Darkroom
The Roku Channel
Fandango at Home Free
Plex
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Tubi TV
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTubeClick a service to open Lion of the Desert there. Availability last verified on July 11, 2026.
Where is Lion of the Desert streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Darkroom, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, Plex | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | Plex | Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads | Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Canada | Tubi TV, Plex | Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | Tubi TV, Plex | — |
| Germany | Franatic Amazon Channel, Netzkino, Plex, Wedo TV | Amazon Video |
| France | Plex | — |
| Spain | Filmin, Acontra Plus, Acontra Plus Amazon Channel, Tivify | Acontra Plus |
| Brazil | Plex | — |
| Japan | Plex | — |
About Lion of the Desert
Lion of the Desert is a 1981 English-language history, war and drama film directed by Moustapha Akkad. The cast is led by Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Irene Papas. It has a runtime of 2h 53m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 200 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Darkroom, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free.
Lion of the Desert was produced by Falcon International Productions and Filmco International Productions and made in Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and United States of America. It was released on April 17, 1981, and carries a PG certification. Made on a budget of about $35 million, it went on to gross $2 million worldwide.
- Director
- Moustapha Akkad
- Writers
- David Butler, H.A.L. Craig
- Release date
- April 17, 1981
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, United States of America
- Budget
- $35 million
- Box office
- $2 million
- Production
- Falcon International Productions, Filmco International Productions
Lion of the Desert cast & crew
Lion of the Desert was directed by Moustapha Akkad and written by David Butler and H.A.L. Craig.
The cast features Anthony Quinn as Omar al-Mukhtar, Oliver Reed as General Rodolfo Graziani, Irene Papas as Mabrouka, Raf Vallone as Colonel Diodiece, Rod Steiger as Benito Mussolini, and John Gielgud as Sharif El Gariani.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Maurice Jarre, cinematography is by Jack Hildyard, and it was produced by Moustapha Akkad and Geoffrey Helman.
Is Lion of the Desert worth watching?
Lion of the Desert holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 198 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed history films.
At 2h 53m, it's a full-evening commitment.
If you enjoy history, war, and drama, Lion of the Desert is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Lion of the Desert
In United States, you can stream Lion of the Desert on Darkroom, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, Plex, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Lion of the Desert
Anthony Quinn
Omar al-Mukhtar
Oliver Reed
General Rodolfo Graziani
Irene Papas
Mabrouka
Raf Vallone
Colonel Diodiece
Rod Steiger
Benito Mussolini
John Gielgud
Sharif El Gariani
Andrew Keir
Salem
Gastone Moschin
Major Tomelli
Stefano Patrizi
Lieutenant Sandrini
Adolfo Lastretti
Colonel Sarsani
Sky du Mont
Prince Amadeo
Şahin Çelik
Prince Amadeo (voice)
Lion of the Desert — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Lion of the Desert in United States?
Lion of the Desert is streaming on Darkroom, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, Plex in United States.
▸Is Lion of the Desert on Darkroom?
Yes — Lion of the Desert is currently available on Darkroom in United States.
▸What language is Lion of the Desert in?
Lion of the Desert is originally in English, with audio tracks including Arabic, English, Italian. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Lion of the Desert?
Lion of the Desert runs 2 hours 53 minutes (173 minutes).
▸What is Lion of the Desert rated?
Lion of the Desert is rated PG. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 198 ratings.
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