Just watched it, liked it overall, but was annoyed by the ever-present sound track. Is it my imagination; or has music in movies become less obtrusive in recent times? Older movies seem to really overdo the music.
The great Peter Ustinov plays this disgusting slave trader very callously, but also in a very subtle way- which makes it very convincing. In my view Peter Ustinov (above all) and Kabir Bedi carried this movie. Omar Sharif was also great.
I love this movie because at the start Michael caines character is a prim and proper English doctor. he doesn't believe in violence or breaking the law. but as the movie progresses he gets deeper and deeper into the dark underworld of Africa where the rescuers of slaves have to be even more ruthless than the traders themselves. when he finally faces Suleiman hes basically become a Bedouin warrior like mailk. Christ only knows what might have happened if sir micahels real wife shakira had ever been kidnapped. you do not fuck with this man.
Christopher Rydell was in a low-budget movie in the 80's that they filmed in my small town. Terrible movie but he was gorgeous, with his green eyes. This movie looks about as good as that one.
This is a rare title, at least in it's uncut form. Great movie, based on a novel, and made into a film two other times. This version and the 1922 Rudolph Valentino version are the best. The 40's version with Tyrone Power had the biggest budget, but T. Power was unconvincing as a Spaniard and it makes that version a bit corny.
+Ali Baba Totally agree with you 100% Ali and in my book this one is the best and Valentino's second :D They are both tops though for sure! And yes! Power's was beyond corny and that's just putting it lightly.
+EmeraldJade66 If you haven't read it already, I recommend reading the book "Blood and Sand" by Vicente Blasco Ibanez. It is my all-time favorite book. It's from the author of "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" which was also made into a film with Rudolph Valentino. "Blood and Sand" is a rare book, but it's worth tracking down.
Thanks so much for the recommendation of the wonderful exotic rare read: Blood and Sand by VBI author of "Four Horsemen ... ". Really appreciate it! I'm very acquainted with this author and I've seen the trailer a few times of Valentino's Four Horsemen film but have never had the pleasure of watching to this day but I truly need to since I'm a HUGE Valentino fan!! I have Valentino's Blood and Sand on DVD which I just got through watching last night for what has to be the 30th if not more times and I must say I never ever tire of it. If anything, it seems the more I watch it the more I find new and different things about him i.e. his style of acting, poses, photography, etc... which just amazes me to such high delight!!! :) So yes I will surely follow your advice and find me a copy of VBI's Blood and Sand! To add: The Sheik and Son of the Sheik are my favorite film works of Valentino's as I feel in these two great pieces he was at his rarest top form and gave them all of his best to us his fans! :)
