THE WIND AND THE LION

US, 1976, 119 minutes, Colour. Panavision.
Sean Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith, John Huston, Geoffrey Lewis, Vladek Sheybal.
Directed by John Milius.

The Wind and The Lion proves the colourful action-adventure is back. The costume and swashbuckling atmosphere is Morocco, 1904. The hero is E1 Raisuli, last of the Barbary pirates, compared and contrasted with the President-adventurer Teddy Roosevelt. One is the wind, the other the lion ( and played by Sean Connery and Brian Keith). Focus of conflict is kidnapped American widow Mrs. Pedecaris (Candice Bergen) and her children. There is interesting political theme underlying the presentation of heroism and the thundering hooves on African beaches. Writer-director John Milius is expert at U.S. myths (Dillinger and Melvin Purvis, Jeremiah Johnson and Roy Bean). Here he adds well to his gallery.

1. The general appeal of this film and its kind? The nature of historical spectacular? The 1970's spectacles in comparison with those of the past? Their quality?

2. The scope of this particular film, use of widescreen, colour, desert and American locations, Morocco, costumes etc.? How did this add to atmosphere and flavour.

3. The impact of structure: the detailed times and places, the three-fold emphasis: on E1 Raisuli, on Teddy Roosevelt, on the politics in Morocco? The contrast of Raisuli and Roosevelt?

4. The significance of the title, the references to Raisuli and Roosevelt? Explanations during the film, in the final letter? Comment on the overtones of Roosevelt as an American Grizzly Bear? His explanation, the finale?

5. The impact of the photography of surf, thundering hooves, sounds and silences, sand and desert, mountains and cities, the sea, water and dry desert etc.? The atmosphere of the film?

6. The response to the initial kidnap? The mayhem and havoc, destruction? The deaths, the preservation of Mrs. Pedecaris and her children? The role of El Raisuli during the kidnap? His fall from the horse, Mrs. Pedicaris's laughter, his slap? The explanation of his motives for the kidnapping? El Raisuli's attitude towards Morocco and the hold by the foreign powers, local corruption?

7. E1 Raisuli within his background: the Berber heritage, Africa and the desert, Islam, religion and the prophet, his style of rule and mightiness? His treatment of people, the executions, his assessment of barbarity and culture, his playing of chess, telling stories about himself and making himself a myth, his bluff towards the American powers? How admirable a man within his culture? The Barbary pirate?

8. The humane side of El Raisuli? With his men, his treatment of Mrs Pedicaris and the children, his admiration for Roosevelt, the continued contrast with Roosevelt? What ware the qualities admired in each man? Their weaknesses?

9. E1 Raisuli as part of history? The film's presentation of America and its attitude towards Morocco and the Berbers? The presentation of Roosevelt himself: his historic past, his Pourk as President, his love for sport, his poses for photographers, his calculated interviews, his shooting, hunting, boxing, attitude towards invasion, electioneering with the train? The significance of the bear-hunt and the unveiling of the stuffed bear? Insight into this American President?

10. The picture of America? At the turn of the century, its imperial attitudes, Hay and his advice to Roosevelt, electioneering, the American settings contrasting with Morocco, the sporting and outdoor locations, the quality of the interviews, for example about the bear and the American Eagle? The Americans in Morocco, for example the Consul and his threats and his gifts of lions to the Bashaw and the Sultan? The Marines and the Admiral? The American aggression and fixed bayonets? The clash with the Germans? American patriotism?

11. Audience response to the siege of the Bashaw? The quick-march through the city and the militaristic overtones? The comparison with the Germans? The final clash of Americans and Germans? The picture of the super powers and their role in Morocco?

12. The film's portrayal of Mrs. Pedicaris and her children? The strength of her personality, her coping with the situation, guiding the children, the escape, the rescue, her growing admiration for El Raisull, playing chess, threatening him, listening to his stories? The reasoning for her final rescuing him and urging the Americans on? The impact of El Raisuli in their lives, e.g. the boy's dream?

13. The ironic picture of the Sultan and his polo game on bikes, the Bashaw and his continual eating, even as people were killed about him? His corrupt attitudes?

14. The film's comment and insight into politics, greed, power struggles?

15. The quality of the film as an adventure? Which were the best incidents? Why do audiences respond favourably to such adventures?