Plot: What’s it about?
The turn of the century has come and brought change to the world, even in a remote land such as Morocco. The power brokers of Europe seek to have a presence in Morocco, as well as other nations in the area, but their true intentions aren’t known. This attention has caused mixed reactions in the local residents, which seems to be the perfect stage for a serious problem. Even as the country’s Sultan seems to bask in the European leaders’ presence, some of the others in the nation begin to plot on how to derail the potential union. One such man is Mulay El Raisuli (Sean Connery), a desert chieftain who has not changed with the new world. He and his people remain dedicated to the ways of old, which do not include the new European presence. But he is just one man and even with his supporters, his impact cannot be imposing, unless his plan is just right. He is determined to do something to lash out at those looking to gain a foothold in his region, even if it means breaking the law to do so. Raisuli’s first action is storm a small village and kidnap an American woman and her children. The woman is a widow named Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergman) and while she is not famous, she is now a pawn in a global event. Will Raisuli’s actions be justified, even as American forces demand retaliation?
In the first ever promotion of its kind, Warner’s DVD Decision offered normal citizens the chance to choose which films were released. A list of options was posted on-line, then visitors could cast their vote and the top five would be soon issued. A true landmark promotion, since it put the power in the hands of the customers, who could decide which films would be selected. The Wind and the Lion was one of the top five vote getters and a result, we now have this terrific release, as a tribute to a most democratic process. So what made all of those folks vote for this picture? The Wind and the Lion has dynamic performances, romance, real life political tension, superb production values, and an epic scope. If you need more evidence, simply sit down and watch the opening sequence, which is bold and quite memorable. Sean Connery turns in a great effort, as do costars Candice Bergman, Brian Keith, and John Huston. This is an adventure movie at heart, but has a slow pace at times, in order to further the intricate plot movements. The pace is never dull, but I have to admit, more action could have done a lot to enhance the experience. I wouldn’t call this a great movie, but it has some great scenes and is a worthwhile picture. Warner’s disc is well handled also, so if you’re interested, check out The Wind and the Lion.
We know him best for his work as the famous secret agent of all time, James Bond, but of course, Sean Connery is no one trick horse. No, Connery’s career is loaded with great roles and interesting projects. He is remembered for his turns as 007 and always will be, but there is a lot more to explore in his resume. A prime example is The Wind and the Lion, a well known and well liked epic that has all the needed elements. I can understand the flaws some folks see in the film, such as historical inaccuracies and a slow pace, but you cannot knock Connery’s performance, which is strong and consistent. Yes, he is the same suave and slick character as usual, but he holds it back a little here and adds a deeper dimension to the role. He has great source material to work from and takes advantage of that. His looks make him believable as a desert chieftain, while his screen presence is as tangible as ever. I don’t think I would go so far as to call this his finest hour, but it ranks with his better work, to be sure. Other films with Connery include The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Dr. No, Outland, The Untouchables, and Zardoz. The cast also includes Candice Bergman (Carnal Knowledge, Gandhi), Brian Keith (The Parent Trap, Young Guns), and John Huston (Winter Kills, The Cardinal).
Video: How does it look?
The Wind and the Lion is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This transfer is a bit dated, but looks much better than expected. The film is rich visual splendor, so the transfer needed to be great and it is. The print has some grain and marks, but these woes are minor and never have a negative impact on the visuals. The image isn’t soft either, which is a concern I had going in, but this is not the case. In fact, the visuals come off as quite crisp and more refined than you might think, so all of the little touches look terrific. I found colors to be solid and well replicated, while contrast is light at times, but retains a stark, consistent presence. As I said before, there is some age evident, but it is just a slightly dated overall texture, as no serious problems arise. As such, I think fans will be quite pleased, as the movie looks superb here.
Audio: How does it sound?
A new Dolby Digital 5.1 option is found here and while it is by no means dynamic, the added presence is effective. As with a lot of 70s productions, this one has some rough spots in the audio, but it seems to be common with releases from that decade and as such, I think we can overlook those minor flaws. The surround presence is well done, with some nice touches during the outdoor sequences, such as deep background noise. The adventure scenes yield some cool noises too, all of which are handled with skill in this new soundtrack. No troubles with dialogue either, as vocals are smooth and crisp at all times. This disc also includes a French language track, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The main extra here is an audio commentary by director John Milius, who recalls all sorts of details about the production. The session covers a lot of bases, but Milius focuses on how he directed the picture. So he tells a lot about his inspirations and intentions, which makes for an excellent track. This disc also includes an original featurette from the time of production, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer.
