DAY OF THE FALCON

The writing was great and the action was very good. Acting was a bit on the cheesy side with a strange, sort of random comedy aspect they tried to throw in every couple scenes or so. I think they should've just went with a darker theme of the movie with absolutely no comedy and it would've been better. Either way, great movie overall. Very entertaining.

nice movie

DOTF is interesting from beginning to end. It got me right away. The plot is about half drama and half epic war action; both of which are extremely engaging. As some judgmental Saudi historical accuracy snobs have pointed out, it is a fantasy, and I must add, a darn good one at that; assuming you are not racist against Arabs. In other words, it is "based" on a true story; and does not pretend to be a documentary.So it also helps if you have an open mind to enjoy their version of the historical fantasy in its finest form. Like Top Gun Maverick isn't DOD propaganda? I rest my case.DOTF is visually spectacular both on the desert and in elaborately rich Arabic sets. The protagonists are noble and admirable. The women (i.e. females) are interesting and virtuous. They play roles that are critical to the plot as well as appropriate for Islam. In the movie, the men respect the modesty of the women and protect them in their traditional Islamic roles. Yes, as some other reviewers have pointed out, DOTF portrays Islam favorably. Actually, I rather enjoyed that about the film although I am not a Muslim. They are portrayed as people who believe they have found the true faith and are doing their best to do God's will in a hostile environment to say the least.It is an epic story of traditional values struggling with how to relate to new technology and the advantages it may bring versus the ways it will change and forever alter the spirit of the tribe.Let me just tell you: Day Of The Falcon is well crafted in every sense. It's just enjoyable. I didn't want it to end.

...how this film was lost in the shuffle. Maybe they didn't have the advertising budget, or the names didn't sound familiar or the familiar names were not familiar enough. I don't know what kept this gem from the roadshow, but that it didn't get the attention it should have is testament to oversight that borders on criminal. This film is as good as any sweeping epic I have seen, and here it is, on the back pages of Amazon.The cinematography is riveting. The desert is spectacular. Whomsoever set the storyboard needs a raise, because the scenes are very well thought out, and set very well. The lighting is Academy stuff. Right down to the shafts of light through the windows causing the interior desert dust to glow. The directing is very well coordinated with the cast and crew, and there must have been sorcery involved to get sound like that in settings like some of those were. Desert sand and the interiors of tents tend to muffle everything and sound tends to ricochet and echo in plastered halls. I also have new headphones, and that helps a lot with finding fault with movie sound. The lighting and makeup were first class.The plot was original, at least to me, and if the customs are accurate, I learned a little about those as well, and how difficult it must be, or was, to hold the desert tribes together when generational grudges, broad geographical differences in behavior, dress and custom could cause offense. Not even mentioning the latitudes, narrow or broad, in interpreting their scriptures. Sound familiar.?I was impressed by a few nuggets of desert philosophy, and have added them to my own understanding, or lack thereof,regarding how things are valued. And how the guy with glasses and can't shoot or fight turns out to be a brilliant military tactician, leader and diplomat. That's the undercurrent in this plot. And it is masterfully done.I've heard it said that there is really only one plot to all good films: guy meets girl, guy and girl get separated, guy gets into a fight, guy finds his way back to girl. That plot is here. This film is good.

Better than Rings of Power.

This is a good movie, but I feel some changes in the way the story is deployed could have made it great. The depth of feeling just wasn't what I feel it could have been. I enjoyed watch this though, and it had a lot more action than I expected.

I read that this was a fictionalized account based on some true stories and I really enjoyed it. It shows the struggle of the different tribes to decide what to do with the oil that the Westerners valued so much. On one side, someone who sees it for the value it can bring to his people -- preventing women like his wife from dying in childbirth or bringing education and clean water to avoid death by illness. On the other side, are people who view the oil and the Westerners with suspicion and think it should remain in the ground. We know from history which side prevailed. My great uncle was one of the American oil scientists who helped discover the oil in the Arab peninsula back in the '30s, '40s, and '50s, and '60s before retiring to teach petroleum engineering at Montana Tech in Butte -- so it was of particular interest to me. I also recommend State of Happiness, a Norwegian series that shows how American discovery of oil transformed Norway from one of the poorest countries in Europe to one of the richest in the world -- while also making difficult tradeoffs over tradition and a failing economy vs modernization and Americanization and a strong economy.

For all the complainers crying about it not being historically accurate, it's not meant to be. It's just a story. Whatever happened to stories not having to be politically correct? Can't we just have stories for the sake of them being a tale?If you want a history lesson, stop being lazy and go pick up a book, but if you want to get whisked away for a couple of hours with tons of beautiful scenes to look at, this is a good flick.I liked it a lot and I'm a monster "Lawrence of Arabia" fan so I'm quite the snob when it comes to Middle Eastern films ("Kingdom of Heaven" is another favorite).

Outstanding performance from Mark Strong again in Jean- Jacques Annaud's epic, and it really does look like an old fashioned Hollywood big budget , cast of thousands production of the 50's and 60's.Annaud is no stranger to making a film that has the 'epic' look having directed the glossy, yet gritty, 'Enemy At The Gates' set in Stalingrad.Yet he has the ability to bring sensitivity and pathos to his work, with one of my favourite films being 'Two Brothers' which is about two tiger cubs and their fight for survival.This film is about a young Arab prince who has to choose between two great leaders who are fighting each other, one is his biological father and the other is the father who raised him, when oil is discovered in the Middle East and suitors are pressing to make the winner of their war into a very rich man.This is post-Lawrence of Arabia and the settings for the film are beautiful and sweeping. It is both a war film as much as an adventure and there are fine performances from Tashar Rahim as the prince as well as Antonia Banderas playing the 'other' father. Freida Pinto is stunning as the love interest. I think I last saw her as an Asian scientist in 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' with James Franco.We enjoyed the film for its spectacle and fine acting from Mark Strong, there is a cameo from Riz Ahmed, and I would recommend a viewing.English subtitles and a 'making of' and special effects feature.

This film is nowhere near as bad as the critics would have you believe. The plot revolves around a tribal feud in 1930s Arabia, around the time of the discovery of the rich oil reserves in the country by American prospectors. The storyline is decent enough, there is forbidden love, greed and political intrigue, also some great action scenes of battles in the desert. The acting is solid, with Mark Strong being particularly impressive. But maybe that's because his is the best part in dramatic terms. Antonio Banderas gets plenty of screen time which should please his fans. What really sets this film apart are the vibrant colours and stunning costumes of the Arabs and the filming locations in the desert. A real feast for the eyes.I found the film very enjoyable. A Lawrence of Arabia it is not, but if you don't expect too much, you should enjoy this well enough. Definitely worth a watch if either the story or the actors involved appeal.

If you loved Lawrence of Arabia, this movie is tailored for you. It carries all the great character build up, passion for your country, ultimate betrayal, clash of cultures, and a very strong anti war message.

Good condition. Not a bad film. Good actors although Antonio Banderos sounded very amateurish in his role.

Just made me think of all the oil producing nations now and their rise to power and money, and how its supported by other countries, great film though out the pace does not let up, a film I had never herd about and would watch again.