Omar Sharif Movies
Born into a wealthy Lebanese-Egyptian family, Omar Sharif was a math and physics major at Cairo's Victory College. He worked briefly in his father's lumber business before pursuing an acting career. Entering movies in 1953 as Omar El-Sharif, the young actor's popularity zoomed when he married popular Egyptian star Faten Hamama (the marriage ended in 1974). Well established in his native country, Sharif made his English-language film debut (with one of the longest and most impressive "delayed entrances" ever filmed) as Sherif Ali Ibn El Karish in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Sharif's next film for Lean, Doctor Zhivago (1965), launched the "superstar" phase of the actor's career. When he was cast as Nicky Arnstein opposite Barbra Streisand's Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1968), Sharif's films were banned in his native Egypt because he made love to a Jewish woman onscreen. As Sharif's starring career began its slow downward slide in the mid-'70s, he began devoting more and more time to his one great passion in life: bridge. Today Sharif is best known in card-playing circles as that famous bridge expert who happens to show up in movies from time to time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A Manhattan archeologist teams with an FBI agent to uncover the buried secrets of the legendary Knights Templar in this romantic adventure mini-series starring Mira Sorvino and Scott Foley. Based on Raymond Khoury's international bestseller, The Last Templar opens in 1921, as Sultan's army burns the city of Acre to the ground. The Latin Kingdom's reign has come to a close. All that's left of its legacy is a single galley, which drifts out to sea carrying young Templar Knight Martin of Carmax, his mentor Aimard of Villiers, and an enigmatic chest entrusted to the pair by the order's dying Grand Master. Flash forward to present-day New York City, where a gala is being held to celebrate the opening of an exhibition of Vatican treasures at the Metropolitan Museum. As the upper crust of Manhattan society marvel at the priceless treasures, four men dressed as Templar Knights storm into the museum on horseback, sending the crowd into mass chaos. Amidst all the confusion, archeologist Tess Chaykin (Sorvino) watches in horror as the leader of the horsemen steals a mysterious geared device from the exhibit before disappearing into Central Park. Later, as the horsemen begin turning up dead, Tess and FBI Agent Sean Daley (Foley) realize the importance of the device and learn the dark history of the last living Templars' fateful journey at sea. Now, in order to solve a mystery centuries in the making, Tess and Agent Daley will embark on a journey that leads them from the sewers and cemeteries of Manhattan to the desolate Turkish highlands and onto a remote Greek Island, where one of the Vatican's best-kept secrets will be revealed right before their very eyes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mira Sorvino, Scott Foley, (more)
- 2008
David Lean's 1962 masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia rewrote the rules for the making of a Hollywood epic, proving a movie could be intelligent, perceptive and deliver a handful of striking characters studies while telling its story on a grand scale. Lawrence of Arabia won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is still regarded as one of the great films of the Sixties, and filmmaker Anne Kunvari offers a backstage look at the movie as well as the man who made it in this documentary. Il Etait une Fois . . . Lawrence d'Arabie (aka Once Upon A Time . . . Lawrence of Arabia) combines archival footage and interviews with newly conducted conversations with actor Omar Sharif, film editor Anne V. Coates and film historian Kevin Jackson, who offer their perspectives on the movie and how it was made. Kunvari also includes a chat with Lean's widow Sandra Lean and rare interviews with David Lean as well as a reporter's conversation with leading man Peter O'Toole on the set. Il Etait une Fois . . . Lawrence d'Arabie was screened as an official selection at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Robert Dornhelm's epic-length period tragedy The Crown Prince takes as its dramatic inspiration the heart-rending and irrepressibly romantic tale of Rudolf (Max von Thun), Crown Prince of Austria heir to the Habsburg monarchy during the late 19th Century. The young man's story culminated in the notorious Mayerling tragedy of January 1889; Dornhelm travels back to the years immediately prior for an operatic exploration of the events leading up to Mayerling. The film begins with Rudolf's marriage - an arranged marriage that leaves the young man miserably unhappy and emotionally isolated. In time, the dissatisfied Rudolf commences a tempestuous affair with Baroness Mary Vetsera (Vittoria Puccini), and the two promptly fall in love with one another. Yet the crowned royals frown upon this forbidden romance, forcing young Rudolf into an emotional corner - and leaving two desperate acts of violence as his only escape. The film's supporting cast includes Omar Sharif, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Christian Clavier. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Max von Thun, Vittoria Puccini, (more)
- 2006
From National Geographic, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs documents what experts have discovered about the lives and the burials of such legendary figures in world history as King Tut. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Dougray Scott, Linus Roache, Omar Sharif, and Naveen Andrews headline this epic mini-series from director Robert Dornhelm, and following the Prince of Egypt as he discovers his true identity and sets out on a mission from God. An oracle has prophesized that a child will grow up to become the Prince of Egypt, and in order to prevent this from happening The Egyptian Pharaoh (Paul Rhys) orders the immediate slaughter of all newborn males. No child in the entire kingdom is spared except for one. His name was Moses, the son of a Hebrew slave. Set adrift on the Nile immediately after he was born, Moses escapes certain death and enjoys a lavish upbringing in a royal Egyptian household. Moses has no memory of his past, and soon rises to the rank of prince. After Moses receives a fiery message from God and learns of his true heritage, he vows to reclaim his destiny by delivering his people from persecution and realizing his fate as the liberator of the Hebrews. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dougray Scott, Mía Maestro, (more)
For 4,400 years after its completion as a monument to the "Pharoah du Jour," the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt was the tallest structure in the world, dwarfed only when the Eiffel Tower went up in 1889. This ambitious, computer-generated cable documentary special meticulously recreated the conception and construction of the Pyramid, as seen through the eyes of Nakht, a young man from a tiny village along the Nile who, along with thousands of others in the region, was "conscripted" to work on the project. In addition to showing the remarkably sophisticated methods by which the workers built the monument from millions of tons of stone, the special also offered irresistible "humanizing" details, such as Nakh's amazement that the workers were considerately clothed, fed, and sheltered by the overseers. The computerized special effects were created by the same team responsible for "rebuilding" Rome in the 2000 theatrical feature Gladiator. Based on a book by Jonathan Stamp and Kevin Jackson, Building the Great Pyramid was seen in the U.S. courtesy of the Discovery Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Omar Sharif
- 1998
In this National Geographic film, Omar Sharif, actor and native Egyptian, and Kate Maberly tell a story of a grandfather who regales his granddaughter with the mesmerizing saga of pharaohs and wondrous treasures made of gold. In Mysteries of Egypt, Sharif takes viewers back over 4,000 years, to the time when the pyramids were built amid the spectacular landscape of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings, offering a glimpse into King Tut's tomb. Included as a bonus is a behind-the-scenes film, "The Making of the Mysteries of Egypt," which reveals the processes that go into the creation of a program. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kate Maberly, Timothy Davies, (more)
- 1997
In this eccentric comedy, Jacob (Andy Velasquez) is a young man from Israel whose father has long regarded him as a test presented to him by God. Jacob's mind runs on a path all his own, and he has a mild handicap -- his feet stick out at right angles from his legs, giving him a very curious walk. Having little luck finding his place in the world at home, and depressed after his girlfriend leaves him, Jacob learns of a land of wonder and opportunity called Canada, and he soon relocates to Toronto. Jacob isn't in town long before he is befriended by a thief (Giancarlo Giannini) who shows him the ropes of life in the big city, when he's not busy knocking over ATMs. Jacob spends his days wondering the streets of Toronto and meets a woman named Selma (Joanna Pacula), who not only becomes his new girlfriend, but finds him work impersonating Charlie Chaplin in a street-theater act with a pig and a rock band. Omar Sharif makes a brief appearance as the author and philosopher Khalil Gibran, and Leonard Cohen plays a man who impersonates Leonard Cohen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
- Add Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt to QueueAdd Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt to top of Queue
This documentary offers a fascinating account of the life of one Egypt's most beloved superstars, the singer Umm Kulthum. In her prime, Kulthum was the first singing star to have her work distributed on radio, television, records and films. When she died in 1975, her whole country went into mourning. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Marvin J. Chomsky's sweeping historical drama, Catherine the Great, features Catherine Zeta-Jones as the title character. The film traces how the leader was able to skillfully manipulate both the societal institutions of the day as well as the powerful men who surrounded her in order to gain control over all of Russia. The cast includes such notable performers as Omar Sharif, Jeanne Moreau, and Mel Ferrer. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McGann, (more)
In Beyond Justice-- an Italian-made action film directed by Tessari Duccio with an unusually fine cast -- Christine Sanders (Carol Alt), American millionairess and mother of the grandson of a fanatic Emir (Omar Sharif), hires mercenary Tom Burton (Rutger Hauer) to return her son after the Emir has him kidnapped. Against the advice of her lawyer (Elliott Gould) and her friend Sal (Brett Halsey), Christine accompanies Tom and endures a series of hardships such as a surprise attack and a sandstorm. This rather old fashioned, slow film is entirely predictable and tedious. Nothing can keep the audience interested despite the beautiful color photography of the desert or the excellent musical score by Ennio Morricone. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rutger Hauer, Carol Alt, (more)
- 1992
This family drama is the sequel to director Henri Verneuil's autobiographical film, Mayrig. It takes place some forty years after the end of the previous film. In the earlier film, a young man has moved with his family to Marseilles from Armenia and is adapting to his new country to the best of his ability. This tends to put him in conflict with his traditional Armenian family. Nonetheless, they are all hardworking and loving. Now, forty years later, the lead character (Richard Berry) has changed his name to Pierre Zakar, because it is easier for the French to pronounce and relate to. He has also become a very successful playwright. His aged parents (played by Omar Sharif and Claudia Cardinale) still live a modest existence under their original names in Marseilles. They have come to Paris for the premiere of their son's play. Conflict arises because Pierre, thinking to honor his parents by housing them in a five-star hotel, has affronted them by not inviting them into his home. He and his father speak some harsh words to one another, and the father dies before Pierre can tell him his true feelings. In order to repair his conscience, Pierre subsequently spends a lot of time with his mother and buys her a very posh house in her old neighborhood. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudia Cardinale, Omar Sharif, (more)
- 1992
Anthony Shaw directs his mother, Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote, in this lighthearted made-for-television adventure. Set in the 1950's, Lansbury stars as Mrs. Harris, a common British woman so intent on owning a Dior gown, that she slaves and scrimps for years. However, upon travelling to Paris to make the purchase, Mrs. Harris encounters a series of unexpected characters and events that stand between her and the coveted gown. Originally broadcast in 1992, the film also features supporting performances by Diana Rigg, Lothaire Bluteau, and Omar Sharif. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1992
This crime and adventure drama was clearly made for local Japanese consumption, because its Japanese hero faces as dastardly a crew of evil foreigners as ever graced a soundstage: Chinese in all shapes and sizes, blacks, Arabs, Southeast Asians, and even a few European types. Japan's Korean minority seems to have been omitted from the criminal line-up this time around. In the story, a district attorney who loses the protection of her boss after ending her affair with him is kidnapped by a vengeful criminal and saved by an Arab drug-lord (Omar Sharif, handling his Japanese dialogue fluently). In this convoluted story, the two of them wind up near Vancouver while on the run from the Chinese tongs. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sayuri Yoshinaga, Omar Sharif, (more)
- 1991
For some people, having enough is never enough. It gives them a sense of satisfaction to take something away from those who are barely getting by. In this story, set in the 1970s, a wealthy landowner (Omar Sharif) has persuaded the government to give him land previously held by poor peasants, and he is overjoyed. The landowner's dissolute son is due to be drafted, but the landowner persuades one of the desperately poor people in his region to take his son's place in the army. The second half of the movie follows that poor peasant's experiences until he dies in an armed conflict. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Omar Sharif
- 1991
Adaptation of Sidney Sheldon's novel features an amnesiac who works to recover her identity and the Greek billionaire who works to make sure that she never does. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1990
Rico (Omar Sharif) has been a barber for a long time, and he has been married to his wife for four decades. It's about time that they take a vacation from the tiny village of Petrella Guidi and concentrate on themselves and their relationship. Zaira (Léa Massari), Pico's wife, surely loves him: however, she is tormented by guilt for an affair she had (and enjoyed enormously) years before. Together, they journey on foot along a river to the sea, where the landscape is marvelously picturesque. Along the way, they eavesdrop on a young couple of lovers, and Zaira confesses her long-cherished sin to a priest. Eventually they make their way to the ocean. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Omar Sharif, Lea Massari, (more)
- 1989
The pyramids of Giza, along with the Sphinx, inspire admiration, confusion, fear, and curiosity. This program attempts to answer the questions: How did the ancient Egyptians build them? Is it true that they are cursed? Modern technology can go a long way towards answering questions and finding new information, and theories can replace superstition. Omar Sharif hosts. ~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This political drama is taken from the classic story from Feodor Dostoyevsky, but liberties have been taken and many secondary characters eliminated. The author's condemnation of a godless society and his disdain of those who follow blindly to popular political causes remains intact. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Philippe Ecoffey, Isabelle Huppert, (more)
