Al-Mas' Ala Al-Kubra
Encyclopedia
Al-Mas'ala Al-Kubra is a 1983 Iraqi movie focusing on the formation of Iraq
out of Mesopotamia
in the aftermath of the First World War.
The film was financed by Saddam Hussain, filmed in Iraq (mainly at the Baghdad Film Studios in Baghdad
's Mansour neighbourhood
and on location at the Tigris-Euphrates marshlands
, Babylon
and Kut
) at the height of the Iran–Iraq War and starred Oliver Reed
as Gerard Leachman
, Marc Sinden
as Captain Dawson and Helen Ryan
as Gertrude Bell
, with a stirring score by Ron Goodwin
.
Notorious for being the last film made to use the now banned "Running W" technique, invented by the great stuntman Yakima (Yak) Canutt
, which was a method of bringing down a horse at the gallop by attaching a wire, anchored to the ground, to its fetlocks and so launching the rider forwards spectacularly at a designated point. It invariably killed the horse, or at best it was unrideable afterwards. The British actor and friend of Yak Marc Sinden
and stuntman Ken Buckle (who had been trained by Yak) performed the highly-dangerous stunt three times during the huge cavalry charge sequence.
Both Arab and English versions of the film were produced.
The movie was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 1983 Moscow International Film Festival
.
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
out of Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
in the aftermath of the First World War.
The film was financed by Saddam Hussain, filmed in Iraq (mainly at the Baghdad Film Studios in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
's Mansour neighbourhood
Mansour neighbourhood
Mansour neighbourhood with Dragh and Baghdad International Fair, is the 63rd neighborhood within Mansour district, Baghdad. It is located in northwest Baghdad, which for decades held bakeries, shops, and private clubs. Mansour is located from the Green Zone, and was once home to diplomats and...
and on location at the Tigris-Euphrates marshlands
Tigris-Euphrates river system
The Tigris–Euphrates river system is part of the palearctic Tigris-Euphrates alluvial salt marsh ecoregion, in the flooded grasslands and savannas biome, located in West Asia.-Geography:...
, Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
and Kut
Kut
Al-Kūt is a city in eastern Iraq, on the left bank of the Tigris River, about 160 kilometres south east of Baghdad. the estimated population is about 374,000 people...
) at the height of the Iran–Iraq War and starred Oliver Reed
Oliver Reed
Oliver Reed was an English actor known for his burly screen presence. Reed exemplified his real-life macho image in "tough guy" roles...
as Gerard Leachman
Gerard Leachman
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Gerard Evelyn Leachman CIE DSO , was a British soldier and intelligence officer who travelled extensively in Arabia.Leachman was commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment and served in India and in the Boer War...
, Marc Sinden
Marc Sinden
Marc Sinden is an English theatre producer, documentary director and actor. His father is the actor Sir Donald Sinden.-Theatre:...
as Captain Dawson and Helen Ryan
Helen Ryan
Helen Ryan is a British actress.Roles include Queen Alexandra in Edward the Seventh.- External links :...
as Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, CBE was an English writer, traveller, political officer, administrator, and archaeologist who explored, mapped, and became highly influential to British imperial policy-making due to her extensive travels in Greater Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Arabia. Along...
, with a stirring score by Ron Goodwin
Ron Goodwin
Ronald Alfred Goodwin was a British composer and conductor known for his film music. He scored over 70 films in a career lasting over fifty years....
.
Notorious for being the last film made to use the now banned "Running W" technique, invented by the great stuntman Yakima (Yak) Canutt
Yakima Canutt
Yakima Canutt , also known as Yak Canutt, was an American rodeo rider, actor, stuntman and action director.-Biography:...
, which was a method of bringing down a horse at the gallop by attaching a wire, anchored to the ground, to its fetlocks and so launching the rider forwards spectacularly at a designated point. It invariably killed the horse, or at best it was unrideable afterwards. The British actor and friend of Yak Marc Sinden
Marc Sinden
Marc Sinden is an English theatre producer, documentary director and actor. His father is the actor Sir Donald Sinden.-Theatre:...
and stuntman Ken Buckle (who had been trained by Yak) performed the highly-dangerous stunt three times during the huge cavalry charge sequence.
Both Arab and English versions of the film were produced.
The movie was nominated for the Golden Prize at the 1983 Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
.