Destiny

Youssef Chahine is Egypt's most respected film director, yet this is the first of his 30+ features to receive even a token U.S. theatrical release (and hence the first to turn up on video). Unfortunately, it doesn't make for the best introduction to his work. Set in 12th-century Andalusia, it's a laudable but didactic plea for religious and intellectual tolerance, involving the real-life philosopher Averroes (Nour El Cherif, in a fine performance) and his disciples, as well as the Caliph (ruler) and his family; various parties scurry about attempting to make copies of Averroes' books and safely hide them away before the originals are burned. Like, say, Cecil B. DeMille's version of The Ten Commandments, the film is visually impressive but dramatically ponderous; it comes alive only during its two musical numbers, which are as stirring and exuberant as the rest of the picture is stifling and lethargic. Were it a full-fledged musical, it would be easier to forgive--maybe even to downright enjoy--its humanistic excesses. Optional. (M. D'Angelo)