Lawrence of Arabia

The story of T.E. Lawrence, the heroic and troubled man who organized the Arab nations to fight the Turks in World War I and then, having reached a pinnacle of power in Mideast politics, retired to postwar military obscurity. Great movie, but be prepared: it is 202 minutes long.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 7473), BB-ACTION, VU-ACTION/ADVENTURE

Three Kings (1999)

George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube star in "Three Kings," the story of a small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War who are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives.
 

Journey to the occupied lands

Producer-correspondent Michael Ambrosino examines the Israeli-occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through a personal journey that explores the bitter and complex issues of land ownership, the scope and future of the Israeli settlements, the harsh realities of Israeli military justice, and daily life under Israeli occupation.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 7040), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

Not Without My Daughter

American woman accompanies her Iranian-born husband on a visit to his homeland. Once there, he decides to stay, and she learns (to her horror) that in Iran she has no rights, as a wife or as a woman, so she must find a way to flee the country with her daughter. Absorbing film based on real-life experience of  Betty Mahmoody; the drama works because Field is so believable, and because her husband is not portrayed as a one-dimensional monster. Filmed in Israel.
 

VTLIB (Video 7350)

Nargess (1992)
 

Note: Originally released as a motion picture in 1992 in Iran. Tragic tale of a love triangle. An aging thief, Afagh, is in danger of losing her rakish young lover, Adel. Adel meets Nargess and resolves to go straight after one last burglary.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 5905), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

 English Patient, The (1996)

During World War II, a mysterious stranger is rescued from a fiery plane crash. The American allies care for him and the dangerous secrets from his past come to light. Mesmerizing adaptation (by Minghella) of Michael Ondaatje's novel about a man badly burned in a WW2 plane crash in the African desert; a Canadian nurse (Binoche) tends to him in an abandoned monastery in Italy, and slowly, bit by bit, his story emerges. Fiennes and Scott Thomas are perfectly matched in this intelligent, passionate romance about two people thrown together by chance during a tumultuous period. The story unfolds novelistically, layer by layer, drawing the viewer in with its sinuous, sensuous images and jarring depictions of wartime brutality. Strikingly photographed by John Seale. An exceptional achievement all around.

BB-FOR

God is My Witness (1992) aka Khuda Gawah (1992)

Blend rousing and violent action, over-the-top romantic melodrama and elaborate musical numbers, and you get this acclaimed Indian "Curry Western." Spanning two generations, the story follows an Afghan desert chieftain (Amitabh Bachchan) who vows to a beautiful rival clan member (Sridevi), whom he wishes to marry, to return from India with the head of the bandit who killed her father, but falls victim to corrupt officials, the criminal's vengeful brother, and his own rigid code of honor. 193 min . In Hindi with English subtitles.
 

VTLIB(Video 1777), BB-FOR

Meetings With Remarkable Men (1979)

A young man training for the priesthood finds a philosophical gap in his life, and begins a years-long Asian quest for the answers to his questions. Visually stunning, director Peter Brooks' adaptation of the best-selling memoir by G.I. Gurdjieff stars Terence Stamp, Athol Fugard, Dragan Maksimovic. 108 min.
 

BB-FOR, VU-FOR

White Balloon, The (1995) aka Badkonake sefid (1995)

Razieh wants a fat goldfish for the Iranian New Years celebration instead of the skinny ones in her family's pond at home, because the fat fish looks like it's dancing when it swims. After many attempts she and her brother convince their mother to give them her last bit of money. Between their home and the fish store, Razieh loses the money.. She finds it, but it is temptingly just out of her reach.
 

BB-FOR

Wedding in Galilee (1987) aka Urs al-jalil(1987)

The elder of a Palestinian village in Israel is given permission to hold a traditional wedding for his son on the condition that the Israeli military governor and his staff be guests of honor at the ceremony.
 
 
 

VTLIB (VIDEO 2754)

Profile of Iran

Describes the geography and culture of Islamic Iran. Covers Iran -- Description and travel.   Produced by Islamic Culture and Information Center.  Documentary style, so should be very straightforward video to do a review on.

BB-DRAMA

Ashanti, Land of No Mercy (1979)

Dr. Anansa Linderby is kidnapped in a medical mission in Africa by a slave trader. From this moment, her husband will do anything to recover her and to punish the bad guys, but that will be not an easy task...
 
 
 

VTLIB (Video 418), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

Gallipoli (1981)

A promising track star's running career is interrupted by Australia's entrance into World War I. Billy is an excellent candidate for the Olympics, and coached by his Uncle Jack - "How fast can you run?" "As fast as a leopard!" - he nonetheless abandons his athletic pursuits in order to do the patriotic thing - join up.
 
 

VU-FOR

Journey of Hope (1990) aka Reise der Hoffnung (1990)
 

Heartbreaking, based-on-fact account of what happens when a poor Turkish couple and their young son set off for Switzerland, in the hope of finding a better life. This could have wallowed in sentiment and clichés, but director-coscripter Koller consistently keeps it on the right emotional track. Deserving Best Foreign Film Academy Award-winner packs a real wallop.
 
 

VU-DRAMA

Wind and the Lion, The (1975)

At the beginning of the 20th century an American woman is abducted in Morocco by Berbers. The attempts to free her range from diplomatic pressure to military intervention. Milius brings modern sensibilities to an old-fashioned adventure-romance, with uneven results. Connery is Moroccan sheik who kidnaps American woman and her son, sparking international incident in which Teddy Roosevelt (Keith) becomes involved. Loosely based on a true incident.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 1796)

End of the Empire: Iran

Documents the life of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq and assesses his importance in the history of modern Iranian politics. Contains historical footage.
 

VTLIB (Optical Disc no. 24), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

Exodus

Leon Uris' sprawling history of Palestinian war for liberation becomes sporadic action epic. Paul Newman as Israeli resistance leader, Saint as non-Jewish army nurse aren't a convincing duo; supporting roles offer stereotypes. Best scene shows refugees escaping Cyprus detention center, running British blockade into homeland. Ernest Gold won an Oscar for his score.
 

VTLIB (Video 4900)

Masada

Flavius Silva, commander in Roman Palestine, wants to reach a reasonable compromise with the Jewish Zealots and withdraw his legion. Events and personalities in Rome, however, lead to his besieging the fortress of Masada. There the engineering genius of the Romans must fight both the harsh climate and landscape, and the passion and ingenuity of Eleazar Ben Yair and his people.
 

VTLIB (Video 6386)

The 50 Years War

Begins with the 1947 UN decision to partition Palestine and continues to current day (1998). The film includes interviews and news clips of heads of state, other military and intelligence leaders. Traces history of Palestinian Liberation Organization.
 

VTLIB (Video 744), BB-DRAMA, VU-DRAMA

Midnight Express

Riveting, harshly violent story of young American Billy Hayes (Davis), who faces physical and emotional brutalization in Turkish prison after being caught drug-smuggling. Great moviemaking, though not as faithful to Hayes' true story as filmmakers would have us believe. Oscar winner for Oliver Stone's script and Giorgio Moroder's score.
 

VTLIB (Video 2222)

Yol

Incisive chronicle of the experiences of a convict who returns home while on ``leave'' from jail. Screenplay by Yilmaz Guney, written while he was himself in prison. A portrait of modern Turkey as seen through the eyes of five prisoners granted furlough to visit their families.
 

VTLIB (Optical Disc no. 141), VU-DRAMA, BB-DRAMA

The Ten Commandments

Sweeping Hollywood Biblical epic follows Moses's life. Towering production values, highly acclaimed special effects, fast pace make this classic drama widely appealing for lovers of visually stunning, old-style Hollywood extravaganzas.
 
 

VTLIB (Video 3285)

The Pathans, an episode in the series Disappearing Worlds

Looks at the long struggle of the Pathans, a group of detached and independent tribes living on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, to hold on the their territory.

VTLIB (Video 97 and Video 1590)

The Battle of Algiers

Straight-forward drama about revolt against the French by Algerians from 1954-1962. Winner of many awards, but the     objective, pseudo-documentary fashion in which it was filmed somewhat limits its dramatic power. Nonetheless, a good film.
 
 

Kazablan

Entertaining musical made in Old Jaffa and Jerusalem, in English, based on a popular show. Gaon repeats his stage role as streetwise war hero out to save his neighà borhood from being torn down. Excellent color and location work.
 

VTLIB Video 7406

Late Summer Blues

A group of close friends celebrate the bittersweet changes coming to their lives during the summer of their high-school aduation: adult responsibilities, adult romance -- and the soberingly adult fact that some of their number are being drafted into the Israeli army. This has very much the feel of a high-school beach-party movie -- with music, and in Hebrew -- until a sudden and disturbingly realistic reminder of their own mortality finally slashes through the kids' cheerful, close-knit obliviousness.
 
 

VTLIB Video 7399

The Lion of the Desert

Sweeping ``David vs. Goliath'' spectacle, with Quinn as Omar Mukhtar, guerrilla leader who stymied Italian forays into Libya   between 1911 and 1931. Steiger is Benito Mussolini. Filmed in 1979.
 
 

Sallah Shabati

An Oriental Jewish family moves to a settlement camp in Israel in 1949. The patriarch, a lazy rube, tries several schemes to make money and get housing, but becomes tangled up by slick politicians, government bureaucracy, European and Palestinian Jews, the nearby kibbutz, and his marriageable daughter.Topol is amusing as an Oriental Jew who emigrates to Israel with his wife and even children and who is forever scheming to improve his lot. A modest, lighthearted, thoroughly enjoyable satire.
 

The Sheltering Sky
 

 The American artist couple Port and Kit Moresby travels aimless through Africa, searching for new experiences that could give new sense to their relationship. But the flight to distant regions leads both only deeper into despair.