Legend of the Lost

I'm surprised that others have referred to the script, by Ben Hecht, as being good. Ben was having an off day when he wrote this one. The adventurers run into a hostile group of Bedouins, who have a medical problem with one of their number. Rossano heads into their camp with his medical kit, and we're expecting to see him pull a chicken bone out of the guy's throat and save his life. But no! All of a sudden it's morning and the three adventurers go on their way. But the one I love is when they're in the ancient lost city of Timgad, and Rossano steals the water, the donkey, and the supplies and sneaks off into the night, while the Duke is sleeping off his nightly booze-out. So in the morning, Sophia and the Duke follow him on foot, with no water. And you would never in a million years guess what happens next! They catch up with him! By this time, without Joe January's desert know-how, Rossano is staggering around aimlessly. Then, a friendly caravan happens along and saves them. And then, movie's over! It's a gorgeous movie, especially with Sophia to look at, and the photography is terrific. But you know right away when the main character has a phony name like "Joe January," they were running out of ideas. The cast does the best they can. Worth watching once for John Wayne completists, and I'm one.

Trailer—Legend of the Lost

Legend of the Lost

Director Henry Hathaway does well in directing the Duke and company in this romantic drama. It kind of has the feel and similar story line of 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre' but this time set in Timbuktu. Sophia Loren dazzles as always but also shows her great talent getting much attention from John Wayne and Rossano Brazzi. Who can blame the guys but with a treasure involved there's plenty of tension to go around. Also, navigating through the desert adds another level of suspense. Even though it's not the typical John Wayne movie, Legend of the Lost should be found by anyone interested in a good classic.

This film is invaluable for its exquisite production values. It should not be missed for '50s costuming and make-up conventions, however improbable for a desert expedition. In addition, the no-show direction left all three principals to their own devices; and their natural strengths and weaknesses as performers are exposed. John Wayne fares best here, as he has never been more charismatic...or done more with less of a script. Brazzi fares worst, being unconvincing as a rival to John Wayne and as a romantic match for Sophia Loren. Pay close attention to the fist fight among the three adventurers. You will see each punch miss by at least a foot and a half.

So much potential with big name stars. The Saraha may prove to be the bigger star this time. Joe January(John Wayne), two-fisted, hard-drinking and hard-living, is hired by Paul Bonnard(Rossano Brazi)to lead an expedition in the wasteland of the North African desert. The object is to find Bonnard's father or his grave, as well as a much rumored treasure. Making things real interesting is Dita(Sophia Loren), a local *, who happens to be in love with Bonnard and follows him into the desert. LEGEND of the LOST is more curious than anything and beautifully photographed. Both men end up in battle for the rights to the gorgeous Dita...as well as their own survival. The Sahara proves to be a harsh mistress. This film is directed by Henry Hathaway and also stars Kurt Kasznar, Sonia Moser and Ibrahim El Hadish.

This is a really underrated movie and i stayed away from it for so long because of all the bad reviews i've seen of it, like Leonard Maltin giving it only two stars. This was directed by Henry Hathaway and this was the first time John Wayne and Hathaway worked together and they would go on to make four more movies, including True Grit. The movie starts out with Rossano Brazzi looking for a guide to take him through the Sahara desert to find a lost city. Brazzi hires Wayne as his guide and Sophia Loren is a women who tags along, against Wayne's wishes. Wayne finds out Brazzi is looking for a lost city full of gold and thinks he is crazy and wants to turn back. It's a underrated movie and one of Wayne's better films.

I first saw this film on television as a kid in the 1960s and loved it. I have seen it many times since, and am now blessed to watch it on DVD in wide screen on an LCD display, and I continue to enjoy it. Okay, it has some corny lines, and Sophia is just too beautiful... but more than that, this film tells a wonderful story of broken promises, hidden agendas, and betrayal from others we believed were above reproach... and there is some terrific character development in the dialog, I feel I know these people. For me, it is one of the most atmospheric films I have come to know. I feel the hot Sahara sun in that Lybian desert, the wind blowing sand in my face, the coolness of the water in the oasis, and the quiet beauty of a desert twilight. This film is haunting to me... and it is one of my very favorites.