Examples of Stereotypical Films about Arabs and Muslims

The Sheik

Oct 30, 1921

"The Sheik (1921) set the stage for the exploration and negative portrayal of Arabs in Hollywood films. The Sheik represented Arab characters as thieves, charlatans, murderers, and brutes" (http://www.wikipedia.org)

A Son of the Sahara

Apr 13, 1924

Simon singles out A Son of the Sahara (1924) as "the strongest subconscious attack on the Arab culture of all the Arab movies of the 1920s." (http://www.wikipedia.org)

Black Sunday

Mar 11, 1977

"Based on a successful 1975 novel by Thomas Harris, concerns an Arab terrorist plot to bomb a stadium during the Super Bowl." (http://www.wikipedia.org)

The Black Stallion

Oct 17, 1979

"Opens with Arabs mistreating a horse aboard a ship, then attacking a boy with a knife and stealing his life jacket"(http://www.wikipedia.org)

Back to the Future

Jul 13, 1985

"went so far as to name a specific country, referring to antagonists in the film as "Libyan nationalists" (http://www.wikipedia.org)

Iron Eagle

Jan 17, 1986

The Delta Force

Feb 19, 1986

Death Before Dishonor

Feb 20, 1987

Navy SEALs

Jul 20, 1990

Patriot Games

Jun 5, 1992

True Lies

Jul 15, 1994

Executive Decision

Mar 5, 1996

Rules of Engagement

Apr 7, 2000