Don't Make a Scene: The Wind and the Lion

The Story: This week, we'll celebrate July 4th, the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Britain. Basically, we signed a paper. Then, we had to go to war with the King to back our intentions up. And with the help of some rather abnormal warfare tactics (thank you, indigenous peoples) and a big influx of cash and naval support (thank you, France—sorry for the resulting Revolution), we became our own boss, and decided that anybody could be head of state, not just somebody from the House of Tudor, or Stuart, or Plantagenet...or Windsor, for that matter. We declared heresy on the Divine Right of Kings. 

 

And it was revolutionary. But, fragile. Old Ben Franklin's words haunt me these days..."a republic...if you can keep it."

 

Seeing the current President cavort in the Middle East the last few weeks made me mindful of The Wind and the Lion, John Milius' marvelous film about a relatively small national crisis during the first Roosevelt administration. 

 

See, we're different in the United States. We don't lay claim to land. We buy it. From banks. Those with realistic perspectives know that we merely rent it...like beer. The tribes of native peoples can lay claim to it. But, for the vast majority of us...we basically washed up here. As immigrants. Became bad tenants. Took over the place. Our families' roots are as far-flung as the world reaches. It's not like in the Middle East where there is so much blood shed over the concept of "our land" between the tribes. They have a homeland. We...as immigrants...do not. We come from somewhere else.

 

So, even though this movie came out in 1975, the words in the Raisuli's letter to then-President Roosevelt have a deeper resonance than they did then: "I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you, like the wind, will never know yours."  

 

I sure hope we make it to 250. 

 

The Set-up: The American widow Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergen) and her two children are kidnapped by Mulay Achmed Mohammad el-Raisuli the Magnificent (Sean Connery), Lord of the Riff, in an attempt to dredge up tribal support against European influence. Well, given that Pedecaris is American, President Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Keith) decides to take action against the Raisuli, and in so doing, upsets the balance of power among the Europeans.  

 

Action. 

 

Theodore Roosevelt: There's nothing to worry about, John. 

Theodore Roosevelt: All I have to do is go to Oyster Bay for the weekend and the government of Morocco falls..Huh?

Theodore Roosevelt: By the way, how is Mrs. Pedecaris? 

Presidential Aide: She's in fine health, sir. Quite a remarkable woman.

Presidential Aide: According to Captain Jerome, during the fighting at El Serif, she displayed commendable courage. 

Theodore Roosevelt: Yes, so did that Jerome boy. I want to see him decorated with...  

Theodore Roosevelt: ...something. Whatever you think is appropriate. And, uh, Gummere and...

Theodore Roosevelt: what's his name...the other fell..

Theodore Roosevelt: Well, decorate the whole outfit! All of them!

John Hay: I must say, Theodore, you should thank your lucky stars.

Theodore Roosevelt: Why, luck had nothing to do with it, John. I had God on my side.

John Hay:(chuckles) ...or maybe Allah?

Roosevelt chuckles 

Theodore Roosevelt: What's that?

Presidential Aide: Well, that's your bear...your grizzly bear, sir! 

Presidential Aide #2: First reports are that we can get anything we want in Morrocco, sir. Holding rights. We can put anybody... 

Presidential Aide #2: ...we want on the throne.

Presidential Aide #3: Their camps were divided. It's as... 

Presidential Aide #3: ...simple as that.

John Hay: At this moment, Theodore is the most popular... 

John Hay: ...president in the history of the office.

Theodore Roosevelt: Take that cover off. 

Aide: What, sir?:

Theodore Roosevelt: Take the cover off. I want to see my bear.

John Hay: Later, perhaps, Theodore...

Theodore Roosevelt: No, I want to see him now.

Presidential Aide: A good speech would be appropriate in the next few days, sir. Even the papers are cheering you.

Presidential Aide #2: There's no doubt about the outcome of the election...

Presidential Aide #2: ...Theodore. 

Theodore Roosevelt: Gentlemen, nothing in this world is certain - absolutely nothing. 

Theodore Roosevelt: The fate of the nation will be decided by the American people in November, 

Theodore Roosevelt: and the fate of Morocco will be decided tomorrow by me. 

Theodore Roosevelt: And now, gentlemen,if you don't mind, I'd just like to be alone with my bear!

John Hay: I, uh, trust...he was a Democrat.

(chuckles) 

John Hay: (in background): Rudyard Kipling once wrote "The bear that walks like a man..." 

Raisuli (in voice-over): To Theodore Roosevelt - 

Raisuli (V.O.): you are like the Wind and I like the Lion. 

Raisuli (V.O.): You form the Tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the Ground is parched. 

Raisuli (V.O.): I roar in defiance but you do not hear. 

Raisuli (V.O.): But between us there is a difference. 

Raisuli (V.O.): I, like the lion, must remain in my place. 

Raisuli (V.O.): While you like the wind will never know yours. - 

Raisuli (V.O.): Mulay Achmed Mohammad el-Raisuli the Magnificent, 

Raisuli (V.O.): Lord of the Riff, 

Raisuli (V.O.): Sultan to the Berbers. 

 

The Wind and the Lion

Words by John Milius

Pictures by Billy Williams and John Milius

The Wind and the Lion is available on DVD from MGM Home Video and on Blu-Ray from the Warner Archive Collection.