The film begins by depicting Sadat's involvement with violent anti-British insurgents. Eventually he becomes a follower of
Gamal Abdel Nasser
(
John Rhys-Davies
) as the latter begins his ascent to political supremacy in Egypt. As Egypt becomes more of a regional power led by Nasser, Sadat suffers the strain of being Nasser's yes man, while clashing with him. Nasser enjoys widespread popularity once he nationalizes the
Suez Canal
, but suffers a fatal downfall in the wake of Egypt's crushing defeat in the
Six-Day War
.
Eventually succeeding Nasser, Sadat finds himself beholden to the
Soviets
for military assistance. The Soviets know the Egyptians are determined to go to war with
Israel
and reclaim the
Sinai
, but doubt that Egypt's military can cross the Suez without their help. Determined to make the Egyptians masters of their own nation, Sadat forgoes Soviet assistance (and their influence). In October 1973, Egypt and Syria
launch a two-front attack on Israel.
Egypt's planning proves immensely successful at the outset, building on a well-executed amphibious crossing of the Suez. Egyptian air defense units hold off
Israel's Air Force
, depriving soldiers on the ground of air support. The assault founders when an Israeli tank unit led by
Ariel Sharon
holds its own without air support. Sadat also suffers the loss of his brother, Atef El Sadat, shot down during the war.
Ultimately, Sadat realizes the futility of war, and seeks a peaceful dialog with Israel, leading up to his meetings with
Menachem Begin
(
Barry Morse
). While the resulting
Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty
normalizes relations between Egypt and the west, in the midst of the Israeli occupation of Palestine greatly alienates Sadat from the rest of the
Arab world
.
On October 6, 1981, Sadat is assassinated as he and several foreign dignitaries review a military procession marking the 1973 crossing of the Suez.
The film was negatively received in Egypt and was accused there of distorting history and slandering the Egyptian people, and was also criticized for the casting of a
black
actor, Lou Gossett, Jr., as Sadat. The
Egyptian Ministry of Culture
announced a ban on all films and television programs distributed by Columbia Pictures,
[1]
and Egypt's artists' and film unions sued Columbia Pictures and the film's director, writer, and producers. The lawsuit was dismissed by an Egyptian court for lack of jurisdiction because the film's "distortions" and "slanders" occurred outside Egypt.
[2]
Director Michaels said that the Egyptian government deserved the 1984 "overreaction award" for its handling of the miniseries.
[3]