When a Berber bandit kidnapped an ex-pat American in Morocco in 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt issued a stern demand calling for his release, only to learn that the 64-year-old male had renounced his U. S. citizenship. Roosevelt doubled down lest he appear weak and sent a dozen Marines into Tangier. The 1975 film The Wind and the Lion substitutes gorgeous Candice Bergen and two children for the actual victim, and has a squadron of Marines assault the pasha’s palace, an entirely fictional event. The scene demonstrates how Hollywood manufactures drama to sell tickets but, beyond the deception, the scene does convey how outgunned Islamic forces were at the time, and the U. S. commander’s agreement with the pasha that Roosevelt must be “mad” is priceless and, some may feel, conveys an essential truth. The film’s rather positive view of Imperialism also accurately portrays prevailing views in the West.
The poster of this video is dismayed by the many who have endorsed the behavior depicted here. The event did not happen, not to mention that it would be inhumane as well as a self-defeating use of American military force, as it would only heighten hostility to US presence in the region. Unfortunately, those celebrating such an action are unlikely to read this disclaimer.
The clip is from The Wind and the Lion (1975).
