''Hawk of the Nile'' ( it, Lo sparviero del Nilo) is a 1950 Italian adventure film directed by

Giacomo Gentilomo Giacomo Gentilomo (5 April 1909 – 16 April 2001) was an Italian film director and painter. Biography Born in Trieste, at very young age Gentilomo moved to Rome, where at 21 years old he entered the cinema industry, working as a script survivo ...

and starring

Enzo Fiermonte Enzo Fiermonte (17 July 1908 – 22 March 1993), sometimes credited as William Bird, was an Italian actor and boxer. Early life Vincenzo "Enzo" Fiermonte was born on 17 July 1908 in Casamassima, a rural village near Bari, in southern Italy to Do ...

and

Silvana Pampanini Silvana Pampanini (25 September 1925 – 6 January 2016) was an Italian film actress, director and singer. She was also the niece of the well-known soprano of the golden era of opera, Dame Rosetta Pampanini. Silvana Pampanini caused a sensation ...

Plot

In the first half of the nineteenth century the young Leila left Paris, where she was educated, to go to Cairo to collect the inheritance of her late grandfather, a rich Egyptian pasha. Cousin Ibrahim, who administers the land properties in a dishonest manner with the complicity of his trusted Yusuf, gives the banker Micropulos the research rights in sapphire deposits located in the territory of the Beni Amer Bedouins, making them and Leila believe that they are drilling artesian wells, thus obtaining the approval of Rachid, the young sheikh of the Beni Amer. He, who went to Cairo to renew the pact that allows his people to live on the lands granted them, meets Leila and falls in love with her. Releases land administration to Ibrahim and Yusuf; these, after having commanded the delivery of the weapons, provoke the Beni Amer with the intent to drive them from their land and set them against Rachid. He, informed of the betrayal, goes to the place but is attacked by his people, believed to be the author of the general malaise. In an attempt to capture, he falls into a cliff and is believed dead. Some time later, Leila goes to the Bedouins to ascertain the situation, but a gang led by Ibrahim tries to kill her. A mysterious man, with a covered face, who calls himself Lo Sparrowhawk, runs to save her. Ibrahim, fearing to be discovered, joins Leila in the fortress where he takes refuge, forcing her to marry him in order to inherit his possessions and prevent her from accusing him of the attempted murder. Pretending to be mentally ill following the accident, Rachid is led by Yusuf to the location where the wedding is about to take place, exposed as a mockery. But just before the fateful yes, he reveals himself, he saves Leila and after a dramatic duel he kills Yusuf and Ibrahim. The two young people, finally reunited, can start a life of happiness together.

Cast

as Leila *

as Rachid *

Vittorio Gassman Vittorio Gassman (; born Gassmann; 1 September 1922 – 29 June 2000), popularly known as , was an Italian actor, director and screenwriter. He is considered one of the greatest Italian actors, whose career includes both important productions ...

as Yusuf *

Folco Lulli Folco Lulli (3 July 1912 – 23 May 1970) was an Italian partisan and film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1946 and 1970. He was the brother of actor Piero Lulli. Selected filmography * ''How I Lost the War'' (1947) * ' ...

as Ibrahim *

Saro Urzì Rosario "Saro" Urzì (24 February 1913 – 1 November 1979) was an Italian actor. He is best known for his roles in the films '' In the Name of the Law'' (1949), '' The Railroad Man'' (1956), '' Seduced and Abandoned'' (1964), which earned him ...

as Sahid * Virginia Balestrieri as Selma *

Jone Morino Jone Morino (28 April 1896 – ?) Birth name Jone Nicola Morino. was an Italian film actress. Born in Rome, Italy, appeared in at least 37 films between 1938 and 1956. Filmography *''The House of Shame'' (1938) *''Validita Giorni 10'' (19 ...

as Madame Corinne *

Enzo Biliotti Enzo Biliotti (28 June 1887 – 19 November 1976) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 80 films between 1916 and 1958. He was born in Livorno, Italy and died in Bologna, Italy. Selected filmography * '' The Betrothed'' (1923) * '' Villafr ...

as Micropulos *

Oreste Fares Oreste Fares (1885–1950) was an Italian stage and film actor.Landy p.155 Selected filmography * '' Before the Jury'' (1931) * ''Venus'' (1932) * '' Villafranca'' (1934) * '' Red Passport'' (1935) * '' Cavalry'' (1936) * '' To Live'' (1937) * '' ...

as Mohammed * Elvy Lissiak as Selika *

Ughetto Bertucci Ughetto Bertucci (18 October 1907 – 25 June 1966) was an Italian film and stage actor. He appeared in more than 40 films between 1945 and 1960. Life and career He was born and died in Rome, Italy. A fruit vendor in a Roman market square ...

References

External links

* 1950 adventure films 1950 films Italian adventure films Films directed by Giacomo Gentilomo Films scored by Alessandro Cicognini Italian black-and-white films 1950s Italian films {{adventure-film-stub