Shaytan al-Sahra

My knowledge of Middle Eastern films is pretty limited and that goes double for Middle Eastern films from the 1950s so stumbling across Shaytan al-Sahra (Devil of the Desert/Sahara) (1954) was a real treat. A very early role for Omar Sharif as the son of a tribal leader murdered by the greedy local Emir who seeks revenge by becoming a masked terror of the desert, he is absolutely riveting and dominates the screen when he's on it and it's easy to see how he became such a big star.

Ably directed by Youssef Chahine in an early effort from his extensive career, the style is definitely of its time fitting right in with the swashbuckler films of the day with a dash of B-western melodrama thrown into the swordplay. Toss in three decidedly immodest song and dance sequences by the local beauties, cat fights, and soggy harem girls and one quickly realizes those were indeed different times. A fun little film and a harmless introduction to a corner of the cinematic world that deserves further exploration. The print I viewed may have been cut down as it was closer to an hour and a half vs. The reported hour and fifty minutes, honestly though, it was fine.