MOVIES: The Lion in the Desert

The Lion in the Desert is the only movie I've come across set in and filmed in Libya. It stars Anthony Quinn as Omar Mukhtar, the leader of the Libyan resistance against the Italian occupation from 1911 to 1931.

(A side note: the director was Syrian Moustapha Akkad, whose only previous movie, The Messenger about the Prophet Mohammed also starred Anthony Quinn. However, subsequently, he changed themes, and was the Executive Producer for all the Halloween 'slasher" movies. He and his daughter were killed in the hotel bombing of the Hyatt hotel in Amman, Jordan in November, 2005)

A Yank in Libya (1942)
The artwork has to convince you to see this! (click for larger image). The All Movie Guide says it is "distinguished by some of the oldest, grainiest stock footage ever seen in a mid-1940's film. Otherwise, it "isn't too bad". Set in a "papier-mache facsimile of Libya".

(NEW: Nov/06) I ordered the DVD, and have watched it. It is "unique". The reason for the poor, grainy stock is it's a movie that occasionally re-uses old footage from other unrelated movies to save money. It just adds to the (perverse) enjoyment!