Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Lion of the Desert 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman August 25, 2022

Shout! Factory has released the 1980 epic 'Lion of the Desert' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video, 5.1/2.0 lossless sountracks, and extras newly crafted and new to Blu-ray. Also included is a third disc including the Arabic language version of the film. The film was prevously released to Blu-ray in 2013 under the Starz/Anchor Bay label. This presentation greatly improves on that terrible release by leaps and bounds.

In 1929, with Italy firmly entrenched in an expansionist move in North Africa, Fascist Dictator Benito Mussolini (Rod Steiger) rises to power and further expands Italy's military efforts to stomp the growing Libyan rebellion against colonization. He appoints veteran General Rodolfo Graziani (Oliver Reed) to spearhead a renewed push against the rebellion, which is growing in strength and resolve under the leadership of a schoolteacher named Omar Mukhtar (Anthony Quinn). The Libyans, aware that Graziani's appointment all but guarantees a new offensive, prepare for the worst but prove courageous on the battlefield and hold their own against the better equipped and modernized Italian forces. However, with the Italian's failure to achieve quick victory comes a series of atrocities and a personal target on Mukhtar's back that both threaten the Libyan resistance movement more so than manpower and technology.

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Lion of the Desert 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the English language 1080p Blu-ray disc included in this set.

To say that this new release of Lion of the Desert trounces the old Starz/Anchor Bay Blu-ray would be an understatement. Most everything that could be wrong with the old release was wrong, right down to the aspect ratio, cropping the film for 1.78:1 rather than present it at its natural 2.39:1 ratio. Beyond that and scrapping the 1080i encode for 1080p (Blu-ray) and 2160p (UHD) is a through restoration that has lovingly and painstakingly brought new, and much needed, life to the film, resulting in what is a splendid Blu-ray and stunning UHD, both worth treasuring.

First, a few words on the remastered Blu-ray. It looks great and is obviously a far, far superior image to the old release. Beyond the proper framing, which offers a splendidly wide and immersive picture, is a faithfully filmic presentation alive with great detail and fine color reproduction. The image is subtly grainy and yields impressively sharp detail to military uniforms, war material, faces, even desert terrain. Compared to the old Blu-ray, it is a revelation in every way.

The UHD, on the other hand, is a revelation over even the new Blu-ray. Given the poor state of the old Blu-ray the leap from new Blu-ray is not quite so dramatic but there is no mistaking that this is clearly the superior version. Grain is more readily evident yet still gentle and natural in density and consistency. Details are far more striking for clarity and complexity revealing the core elements of faces, clothes, and terrain with a more certain exactness and visual robustness that brings the movie to life with newfound tactile density and definition. The resolution gains are obvious, bringing greatly enhanced overall stability and refinement to the UHD image. Further, the print is clean with no evidence of spots, speckles, tears, or other signs of deterioration. The encode is essentially perfect.

Meanwhile, the Dolby Vision color grading offers a significant boost to depth and vitality. Colors are, overall, more robust and intense with meatier contrast that does not betray essential tonal parameters. Earthy rock faces and desert terrain are presented with more lifelike tans and beiges. Natural greenery presents with superior accuracy. Blue skies enjoy great improved realism. Reds leap off the screen with tremendous vitality. Fiery explosions present with more naturally inclined bursts of orange and white. White levels are beautiful, here far crisper and bright compared to the Blu-ray. Black levels depth is superb but can hint at crush. Skin tones are refined and natural.

Note that the picture quality for the Blu-ray Arabic version appears to be identical to that of the Blu-ray English version.

Lion of the Desert 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Shout! Factory brings Lion of the Desert to the UHD format with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 lossless audio tracks. In 5.1, action scenes are the defining characteristic and are presented with impressive full stage engagement and depth. Surrounds are used extensively and naturally. Planes zip around, tanks rumble through, explosions hit hard, and gunfire pops out of and rips through every speaker. Remember the sound engineering is not up to par with a modern movie but the natural elements are alive and recreated to their fullest here. Score soars with focused front side yield and some surround support. Lighter atmosphere envelops the listener quite nicely. Dialogue is clear and front-center located. The 2.0 track is also robust within its more constrained confines. Front side spacing is impressive, as is weight to various action scene elements. Even lacking the engaged surround and subwoofer channels the 2.0 track manages to offer impressive depth and a core feeling of "there." Dialogue doesn't hold exactly to a center imaged area but is usually close. Note that the Arabic 5.1 and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless tracks offer similar, if not identical, dynamics.

Lion of the Desert 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The UHD and Blu-ray discs include newly minted and returning vintage extras. However, all extras are new to Blu-ray/UHD since the previous Starz/Anchor Bay disc was featureless. Also note that a second Blu-ray disc is included which features the film in Arabic with several extras also in Arabic. No digital copy is included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

UHD:

• Audio Commentary: Producer/Director Moustapha Akkad discusses the film in English.

Blu-ray Feature Film:

• Audio Commentary: Producer/Director Moustapha Akkad discusses the film in English.
• NEW! Restoring Lion of the Desert (1080p, 2:26): A too-brief piece that looks at the meticulous processes of restoring the film: scanning the negative, clean-up, color corrections, and more.
• The Making of Lion of the Desert (480i, 4x3, 31:35): A vintage in-depth piece that explores the historical setting for the film, the picture's cast and characters, shooting locations and set construction, filmmaking logistics, historical research, guns, stunts and special effects, and much more.
• Original Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 3:57).
• Re-Release Trailer (1080p, 2:20).
• TV Spot (1080p, 1:00).

Blu-ray Arabic Version:

• Audio Commentary: Producer/Director Moustapha Akkad discusses the film in Arabic.
• The Making of Omar Mukhtar (Arabic) (480i, 4x3, 37:33): An alternate version of the supplement above. Narrated and voiced over in Arabic.
• Original Theatrical Trailer (Arabic) (1080p, 3:07): The trailer with Arabic narration and dubs.

Lion of the Desert 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shout! Factory's new 4K restoration is a work of art. The Blu-ray is solid, but the UHD is flat-out super. The 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks are great and the supplements are satisfying. The Arabic language version is icing on the cake. Very highly recommended for one of the better releases of 2022.