The generous folk at Warner Bros. have made the historical adventure film The Wind and the Lion free to watch online. Above, you can watch the John Milius-directed film that runs for two hours.
Though not a blockbuster upon release in 1975, The Wind and the Lion gained a loyal following over the years, with its mix of adventure, romance, and historical drama appealing to fans of classic Hollywood epics. To watch the movie, click the above play button at the left of the feature image.
Fictional Spin on Real Events
The film is loosely based on the real-life 1904 Perdicaris Incident, in which Moroccan bandits kidnapped an American expatriate, Ion Perdicaris, leading to a tense standoff between the U.S. and Morocco. However, in The Wind and the Lion, Milius takes significant creative liberties, transforming the male hostage into a strong-willed woman and crafting an action-packed narrative with dollops of romance and political intrigue.
The Wind and the Lion stars Sean Connery as the charismatic Berber leader Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli and Candice Bergen as an American widow, Eden Pedecaris, who finds herself at the heart of an international crisis.
Connery’s portrayal of Raisuli is both commanding and complex. He imbues the character with a dignified presence, blending warrior bravado with philosophical musings. Candice Bergen, as Eden Pedecaris, delivers a strong performance, portraying a woman who evolves from a victim of circumstance to an active participant in her fate. Her chemistry with Connery creates a compelling dynamic, balancing tension with mutual respect.
Visually, The Wind and the Lion is also stunning thanks to the cinematography by Billy Williams and the locations in Spain, with its breathtaking landscapes standing in for early 20th-century Morocco.
Meanwhile, legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith’s score elevates the film, blending Middle Eastern influences with sweeping orchestral themes, which earned him one of the film’s two Academy Award nominations in 1976. The other category it was nominated under was for sound.
Reception
The Wind and the Lion was generally well-received by critics upon its release, with many praising its grand scope, adventurous spirit, and strong performances, particularly Connery’s commanding portrayal of Raisuli and Brian Keith’s depiction of Theodore Roosevelt.
Critics highlighted Milius’ direction and the film’s cinematic spectacle, with Roger Ebert giving it 3 out of 4 stars, appreciating its action sequences and historical themes, though he noted its historical liberties.
While some reviewers criticized Connery’s Scottish accent as an odd fit for a Moroccan leader and the film’s historical inaccuracies, its engaging narrative, stunning cinematography, and Goldsmith’s score helped cement its status as a cult classic over time.
The Wind and the Lion moderately performed at the box office, earning around $13 million against an estimated $4.5 million budget.
