Product Details

• Actors: Nour El-Sherif, Laila Eloui, Mahmoud Hemida, Safia El Emari, Mohamed Mounir
• Directors: Youssef Chahine
• Writers: Youssef Chahine, Khaled Youssef
• Producers: Gabriel Khoury, Humbert Balsan
• Format: Color, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Arabic, French
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Yorker Video
• VHS Release Date: July 17, 2001
• Run Time: 135 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000031VPJ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,449 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destiny an Oriental film in hommage to the Hollywood Golden, August 14, 2001

By 

no (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destiny [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The film by egyptian director Youssef Chahine "Destiny" , recalls the story of Averoes the writer and scientist and takes place partly in Andalusia. I recommend you to see this film on the Free minded writer in an age when Europe was living under religious inquisition, and Andalusia torn between political rivalry between religious and political intolerance.The film is a strong message against religious intolerance and Chahine is very courageous in his statements. The film was prized in Caan and did well at the box office. Sure it does have its shortcomings due to lack of financial help. The special effects were made in Paris Studio's, but on the whole the film is a spleandor for the eyes and ears. However beyond its political statement the film is also a hommage to Hollywoods golden Age Cinema, which influenced Chahines generation, in that it is at the sametime a Musical, a Peplum ( that is swords and sandles movie) and also a Comedy at times.I highly reccomend this film to westerners who can rediscover Egyptian cinema and one of its best directors.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Destiny of Avveros(Ibn Rushd) great 12th century philosopher, May 2, 2000

By 

dean Hamdan (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destiny [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Like many a philosopher before and after him Avveros(Ibn Rushd) was the subject of ridicule by the ignorant and fanatic alike. Youssef Chahine deserves a great deal of credit for having the courage to make this film. While the film lacks good lighting and the accent is egyptian, the struggle between secular and ultra orthodox is a story that deserves to be examined thoroughly. The film set in 12th century Andalusia(Spain) could just as well be set in any modern day society (not just Muslim societies). The film would be a lot more impressive if it was dubbed in English. The dialogue is quite immpressive when Avveros presents his arguments. I hope that the film will be dubbed because it has a lot to say and I intend to use it in my teaching at the University. Thank you Mr. Chahine. I wish you would make more films about the other greats like Alhaytham( Alhazen),Ibn Sina and Ibn Khaldoun. Perhaps funding for these projects could be secured from educational and artistic foundations.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, January 25, 2000

By 

Mona El-Zayyat (Egypt) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destiny [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Once again, Chahine outdoes himself. This film is of great quality; the cinematography, the soundtrack, the acting, the scenario, everything. The stories of great Arab/Muslim persons are often forgotton. Chahine reminds us of IbnRushd the great philosopher and of the true essence of Islam that is based on love of life. It is a witty and powerful criticism of religious fanatics who destroy the image of a religion of which the very name means peace. The only bad thing about this film is the scene where 'Laila Elwee' dances the flamenco. But, her acting elswhere is genuine. I would love to see more movies by this world famous director on Amazon.com.