I LOVED this movie as a young otter. In my memories, it was one of the best movies ever, and I remember seeing it several times in the theatre, even recalled large chunks of dialogue and many of the scenes, almost 30 years later...it obviously made quite an impression.

And not undeservedly. There are some silly parts (starting with Connery, pretending to be a Moroccan with his outrageous Scottish accent, give me a break) but overall, it's well worth watching. Connery is a total honey in this one, even with (maybe especially with) the accent, striding around in desert robes and turbans, on horseback, just as charming as hell. Brian Keith makes a heck of a fine Teddy Roosevelt, a very good role for him. John Huston plays John Hay, the Sec. of State at that time (1904) and there are many other parts that really stand out.

I have never liked Candice Bergen, although she's ok in this, and the actors who play her children are good (although Polly Gottesmann, who plays her daughter, evidently never made another movie). Mostly, though, Candice is there to spice it up...this movie is strongly reminiscent of both Lawrence of Arabia and Anna and the King, and not a bad combination of the two...action, a good script, beautiful scenes, and a hint of romantic interest, although it's obvious that nothing will actually happen between Sean and Candice.

Interestingly enough, I originally gave this a 'historical no-brainer' icon, based on what I remembered from a book I had read about the Barbary Pirates a couple of years ago...but when I checked the details (in a bio of TR) I was pleasantly surprised: the only substantial change was the sex of the abductee.

The actual incident occurred when Ion Perdicaris (and why did they change two letters of the name for the movie? who knows?) and his stepson were abducted by an insurgent tribal chieftan, El Raisuli, solely to force the American Government to put pressure on the Sultan in Morocco to give him ransom money, release of political prisoners, and of course control over several of Morocco's richest districts. (Perdicaris later turned out to be Greek, although by the time this was discovered, things had progressed to the point where the Americans just pretty much ignored that little revelation...)

After weeks of negotiations and threats of war and shows of military might, the money was paid over and the hostages freed, with no actual invasion of the marines (which was, admittedly, one of the best scenes in the movie). Evidently the two men got along famously: when they parted, the Raisuli said that if anyone tried to harm Perdicaris on his way home, he and all his men would come to the rescue!

So really, barring some hijinks added to make it a better picture, it wasn't so far wrong...and it's a heck of a show.

But I digress. Really, this movie is about two men who never meet, both of whom live in worlds that are changing fast. This film stands up well to the passage of time. Rent it and enjoy it, you'll be glad you did.