It’s been five years since actor Omar Sharif last appeared in a significant U.S. theatrical film (1999’s “The 13th Warrior”). But today he’s back on screen in two new movies–“Monsieur Ibrahim” and “Hidalgo.” Here’s a list of five more Sharif films, some great, some merely noteworthy.
1. `Lawrence of Arabia’ (David Lean, 1962)
Omar Sharif made his Western debut with his greatest English-language role as Sherif Ali ibn el Kharish, a ruthless Arab leader who embraces modern politics after befriending British commander T.E. Lawrence in 1914 Arabia. Sharif would garner a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination.
2. `Dr. Zhivago’ (David Lean, 1965)
Three years after Lean completed “Arabia,” he returned to direct this equally ambitious epic period piece. This time Sharif takes the title role, as a Russian doctor who has a love affair during the 1917 Bolshevik revolution. The film features one of Sharif’s greatest scenes, as the aged doctor tearfully chases his love, Lara, through the city streets, only to die before he can reach her (this sentence as published has been corrected in this text).
3. `Funny Girl’ (William Wyler, 1968)
Sharif’s initially all chuckles and compliments as gambler Nick Arnstein, but his luck takes a dire turn when he’s arrested for embezzlement. This musical lets the actor belt out a tune (during the duet “You Are Woman, I Am Man”), although his singing is sub-par compared to co-star Barbra Streisand.
4. `Top Secret!’ (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, 1984)
Sharif shows his comedic side in a small part from the ZAZ team’s wild spy spoof. As Agent Cedric, the actor gets squirted by a trick flower, lights an exploding cigar and wobbles around with a crushed car caging his body.
5. `The Rainbow Thief’ (Alexandro Jodorowsky, 1990)
Teaming with Peter O’Toole for the third time (after “Arabia” and 1966’s “The Night of The Generals”), Sharif stars in this cinematic carnival as an animated pickpocket who helps hide O’Toole’s peevish prince in the sewers. Despite playing the part while in his late 50s, the actor displays a childlike spirit here he’s rarely shown.