Lion of the Desert 1980 The dictator Mussolini pursued a policy of violence in Africa for 20 years to exterminate indigenous Muslims. He appoints one of his generals, Rodolfo Graziani, as the governor of Libya, and demands that those he call rebels be caught and punished. The resistance in Libya continues under the leadership of Omar Mukhtar. Omer Muhtar, a teacher by profession, fights with Italian troops. Military units were used in the military scenes necessary for the shooting of the film. A city was built for the movie, 400 buildings were built, and a medical center was built to withstand the heat of scorpion stings.