MovieChat Forums > The Jewel of the Nile (1985) Discussion > Is Omar based on Gaddafy or Saddam?

Is Omar based on Gaddafy or Saddam?

posted 5 years ago by Misty (250)
3 replies | jump to latest

Watching this film over thirty years after it's release, I notice that Omar may be in part based on Colonel Gaddafy.He claimed to be loved by his people, but he is always followed by his black cad bodyguards. Both Gaddafy and Saddam Hussein lived in opulent palaces, both sought to project their influence beyond their borders. Omar seems to be a composite of both men.

[–] MikeCable (1846) 4 years ago

Going back to 1985 I'd say it was more based on Gaddafi, as he was referenced by movies and TV shows back then. I don't remember anything about Hussein in Hollywood until around the 1990s.

[–] Misty (250) 4 years ago

You are probably right. In 1985, Iraq was regarded as a friend of the West . Saddam Hussein was at war with Iran so he was not a hate figure , the way Gaddafi was. How times change...

[–] HarlemEagle42 (17745) 3 years ago

Probably Gaddafi.