Black Gold

Boy did I need this movie. Old school movie making with gorgeous scenery and soaring music to accompany each huge emotional story beat. The film is corny and epic and romantic and goofy all at the same time. I was very impressed by the cinematography and the commitment of everyone to the project. No expense was spared to put on a beautiful show.

Set in the 1930s Arab states at the dawn of the oil boom, the story centers on a young Arab prince torn between allegiance to his conservative father and modern, liberal father-in-law.

Antonio Bandaras is terrific as, the Arab Shiek who finds himself ruler over what he believed was a wasteland - The Yellow Belt. However, when American oil men tell him differently, a whole new wealthy kingdom is born.

The sequences where we see how this Shiek uses his new wealth to make his country better are marvelous. I really felt immersed in the world that the filmmakers create. You really see the seduction of the West as the billions make everything suddenly available. Bandaras' character is not an evil man he is just greedy and paranoid about his status and position. He is more than willing to buy the loyalty of the poorer tribes around him. Don't worry about your enemies because you can't trust your friends.


Now it would only be fair to tell you that only one critic liked this film on 'Rotten Tomatoes'. It must have caught me on a good day.

Mark Strong is also very good as the prince's true father, Sultan Amar, an old school Bedouin who follows the Holy Quran and the old traditions.

Tahar Rahim more than hold his own as Auda, the young prince torn between his Fathers, the past and the future. I liked to see so many strong characters pull in competition with each other for the heart and mind of the young prince. I liked that I never quite knew which path he would choose. Both sides have their appeal and their drawbacks.

This movie, better than most I have seen on the topic, clearly illustrates the struggle that the modern Arab spirit feels. I am lucky not to be bound by centuries old traditions. It's a constant balancing act to live a good life while embracing the lessons of the Prophet.




The battle scenes between the army of horses and camels and armored vehicles is pretty spectacular. Watching the prince create an army out of prisoners is a great addition to the story. At 2 hours and ten minutes, the story is given time to breath. It reminded me of those epic Chinese movies where everything is life and death.

I liked it.

7/10