In 1904, Morocco is a nation prized by various European countries as prime real estate for establishing colonial hegemony, and a Berber rebel leader, Raisuli (Sean Connery), is sick of the collusion of the corrupt sultan in Tangier with these foreign powers. He kidnaps an American woman, Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergen), and her two children, asking an exorbitant ransom in order to embarrass the sultan. When negotiations break down, U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt (Brian Keith) exploits the situation, cementing his place in the upcoming election, and he sends in troops. With the other European countries involved, chaos ensues. Raisuli is betrayed but finds an unlikely ally in Eden Pedecaris herself. Based on a true story.
“Revives the desert epic with wit, style and a compelling brilliance…Milius once more reveals that his overriding concern is with the formation of myth rather than realism, as he balances the fates of his two legendary figures – Brian Keith’s Roosevelt and Sean Connery’s kidnapper Raisuli – to dynamic effect.” – Time Out
“The real craziness of The Wind And The Lion, and the qualities that make it such a striking film, come from Milius, who stuffs what looks like a familiar adventure story with observations about power, America, and leadership, and somehow makes them feel like a natural fit to the material.” – Keith Phipps, The Dissolve
