MovieChat Forums > The Wind and the Lion (1975) Discussion > Favorite Scenes

Favorite Scenes

posted 17 years ago by Hancock_the_Superb
18 replies | jump to latest

Don't know how many replies I'll get, but what are your favorite scenes from this great movie? I think that this film is a masterpiece with so many brilliant scenes, but I'll try to be selective:

- The opening attack scene. Just brilliant cinematography and a really thrilling action scene to boot.
- Any scene with Brian Keith as TR really, he is just a *beep* badass, discussing foreign policy while boxing and target shooting. I also love his speech about how grizzly bears embody the spirit of America - how pertinent is that scene today? I think Keith is about as authentic a Roosevelt as you could get, and John Huston was amusing as his more restrained Secretary of State.
- I love, love, love the scene where Steve Kanaly, Geoffrey Lewis, and Roy Jenson plot the Bashaw's downfall. When Kanaly's character just stands up with a boyish grin on his face and proclaims "Military intervention!" as the solution for the situation - I mean that's one of the funniest moments in any movie ever. Not everyone would find this scene funny, but I think it's hysterical because it is baldly advocating imperialism without any irony - I find that just hysterical. Some could find that offensive, but then they'd be taking this film way too seriously.
- The USMC doing a double-time march with heavy uniforms and equipment through the crowded streets of Tangier en route to the Bashaw's palace, and the end of the scene:

"You are a very dangerous man, Captain - and your President Roosevelt is mad!"
"Yes, sir!"

Followed by the Marine band playing "Semper Fidelis" and the American flag fluttering in the breeze - I mean, wow, wow, wow! One of, if not the, greatest action scenes ever filmed.

I don't mean any disrespect to Sean Connery or Candice Bergen (except my inability to spell the latter's name ), as both were fabulous, but the scenes with Brian Keith and Steve Kanaly will always come to mind first when I think of this movie.

Anyone else care to weigh in?

"Gentlemen, if we fail and are killed, I certainly hope the world does go to war!"

[–] saginaw1 17 years ago

Definitely the battle scenes. The United States Marines' march to the Bashaw's palace and subsequent victory is VERY inspiring, as is the playing of 'Semper Fidelis'! I, too, like Mr. Keith's excellent portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt - a befitting depiction of an American president around the time of the American Bicentennial.

Even though the movie was a fanciful telling of the actual incident, anyone who loves history, civilian or military, should have this film in their collection.

[–] rebel60 17 years ago

There are several scenes which stand out for me.

My favorite scene is the double time scene by the Marines through town, especially the shot showing Capt. Jerome in front with the national and Marine colors in the background. The camera angles, the sounds, the sense of power of the troops - outstanding. I've had to double time troops many times, and the whole scene just "feels" right.

We used to have a great little theater in town that played older released films. During the Iranian hostage crisis, they showed this film. During the double time scene members of the audience went wild. They were yelling "go get them", "send in the Marines", etc. Surreal to say the least.

Also, the entire TR birthday scene. Brian keith was able to project so much of TR's personality into that scene. Sadly, the exchange between Sec. Hay and the Japanese general (in reality, he may have been a Japanese envoy) actually took place.

Lastly, the scene at thre rifle range. TR's conversations with Hay, and later with Alice and the other children, ring true. Whether TR actually said those things, I don't know, but IMHO they sure sound like something TR would say.

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 17 years ago

That's an awesome story. Is it true that they use the Marine attack scene as a training video at Annapolis? Or is that beyond your realm of knowledge?

"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for ME!" - Lawrence of Arabia

[–] rebel60 17 years ago

I haven't heard that the scene was used as a training film; however, it's one way to motivate the troops.

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 17 years ago

Well, I ask because Milius says the USMC uses it for their advanced infantry classes on the DVD commentary.

"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for ME!" - Lawrence of Arabia

[–] rebel60 17 years ago

Have you checked out the wikipedia entry on the film? It reports basically what you said about Milius. It also states that the troops used were Spanish Special Forces with US Marine advisors.

The scene on the dock is very accurate (probably due to the Marine advisors). Normally, you would think that the troops would be given a left face and marched off the dock directly. However, the correct procedure according drill manuals is the give a "right face" command and then two "column left" commands - as done in the film. I don't know if Milius did it to be correct, or because the scene as shot looked better.

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 17 years ago

I should add, being COMPLETELY immodest, that I actually wrote most of the Wikipedia article, a lot of the info therein being based on Milius' commentary and readings I've done on the Perdicaris Incident itself. The synopsis is definitely mine, and the section about cinematic references (contributed some stuff, but not all, to the historical accuracy part. I recently read Ion Perdicaris's account of the kidnapping and he helped clarify a lot of the names of the real people like the Bashaw etc.). So take that for what you will. Someone else posted a lot of notes from the commentary on the IMDB trivia page.

I noticed what you're saying too, but then again I've seen a lot of other films do it as well - "The Sand Pebbles" comes to mind, the scene where the detachment of sailors is marched back to the San Pablo by the Chinese troops. I think they use it for dramatic effect more than any pretension to realism.

"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for ME!" - Lawrence of Arabia

[–] rebel60 17 years ago

Good work! The Sand Pebbles is another of my favorite films.

I'm a member of a Greek Orthodox church & a friend of mine knew some of the Pedicaris family. He's been away on vacation. When he gets back, I'll ask him if they ever talked about the incident. I know that Ion went back to England, but I believe there were some relatives still in America.

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 17 years ago

That's awesome! I hope you get to talk with him about it.

"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for ME!" - Lawrence of Arabia

[–] macliggett1 16 years ago

This movie is rife with goodies but, I'd have to say the kidnap scene where Joseph fights off the kidnappers 'til he runs outta ammo and is killed to death (should of used a faster loading gun and counted his shots)

When the Raisuli cuts up the blue pirates to rescue Eden and the kids

The bayonet charge that overthrows the Basha of Tangier.

The fight between the Raisuli and the *beep* at the end.

Those would be the highlights.

[–] bullit2513 16 years ago

A lot of the best scenes have been mentioned already, but I'll add the scenes between Raisuli and Mrs. Pedacaris. All their dialogue is great, and I love Connery's "Hello, Mrs. Pedacaris!" upon being rescued at the end.

All the action scenes as well, including the opening kidnapping, the Marines landing, and the final shootout/battle. Mass chaos, and it leads with the Peckinpah-like walk through the village with Capt. Jerome, Mrs. Pedacaris and the Marines. Good stuff!

"Congratulations, Major. It appears that at last you have found yourself a real war." Ben Tyreen

[–] Martian1962 16 years ago

Definitely when the Marines and Sailors double time it to the palace and (you have to pay close attention to this because the director sure did) at the end of the movie when the squad moves out of the building the Sgt ever so slightly points his shotgun where he wants one of the Marines to post and the Marine stands at that exact point. Great attention to detail in uniforms and tactics.

[–] The_Khazi 16 years ago

The kid in me will say the climactic battle between the U.S. Marines,the German soldiers in their cool tropical outfits and just about anyone else who happened to be there.Favourite scene of my favourite scene is the Cannon duel between the Arabs and Germans.

[–] SipteaHighTea 16 years ago

My favorite scene is where the Germans start inflicing casualities on the Moroccan tribesmen; however, it should not have taken 10 rounds before the German artillery found their range. The first shell should have knock off the riders. In movies with British, American, and French, it seems that the Allies are always on target with the first round or after 2 or 3 rounds to get the range. With the regards to the scene where the guy shoots the Moroccans before they cut him down after he ran out of ammo, he should have a German Mauser semi-automatic pistol or a Lugar pistol. The Colt .45 pistol did not come into existence until 1911.

[–] sportin_jenny 16 years ago

The Marines have landed!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNQGFWLAcwE

[–] Hancock_the_Superb 16 years ago

He didn't have a Colt 1911. He had a Weber revolver.

He's a peeler, 417, come to arrest the Zulus!

[–] angelosdaughter 12 years ago

William idolizes the Raisuli; witness his reveries as he falls asleep after his mother tells him that the Raisuli's fate is no longer their concern.
For me one of the most memorable scenes falls during the melee after the Raisuli is rescued by Mrs. Pedicaris. In the midst of the confusion, he unseats the German from his horse, and mounts it. William sees him and from the ground, holds up a rifle, and the Raisuli sweeps toward him at full gallop, reaches down, grabs the rifle and thunders off into memory. He has given that little boy a final image of his hero and a wonderful adventure that he will carry for the rest of his life.

[–] yusef-ghanima 11 years ago

all the scenes with children are hilarious. the scene when the greman refuse to shoot rasuli, and then rasuli refuse to kill him, specially the first time i watched the movie. teddy's speech about great men are lonely and great men as enemies. rasuli telling eden that she's not even one of his wives and her terrified reaction. the bearded man telling teddy he's supported by god or allah. and of course the last magnificent scene of loosing every thing. and teddy's comment on the lousy eagle and how much he preferred the grizzly bear.