While the scale is "epic," some critics found the narrative occasionally disjointed as it tries to cover nearly two decades of complex political intrigue.

The production makes excellent use of varied locations across Spain, Morocco, and Italy.

In high definition, the film's sweeping desert landscapes and intricate period architecture are visually striking highlights. Narrative and Pacing

Set between 1802 and 1818, the story details Badía’s secret mission to Morocco and his passionate encounter with the English aristocrat Lady Hester Stanhope. Critical Review

Sabbie e fuoco (released internationally as Sand and Fire or De sable et de feu ) is a 2019 historical drama directed by Souheil Ben-Barka. The film follows the epic true story of Domingo Badía, a Spanish spy known as Ali Bey el-Abassi, who traveled through the Middle East and North Africa in the early 19th century. Film Overview September 18, 2019. Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance.

Rodolfo Sancho provides a solid lead, though the chemistry in the central romance is often cited as being secondary to the political drama.