The film follows Libyan and Bedouin tribal leader Omar Mukhtar, who is also a symbol of Arabic resistance against colonization, in his fight against the Italian occupation. The storyline follows the campaigns of Regio Esercito's Italian General Rodolfo Graziani, who attempted to defeat Mukhtar. The film shows the struggle of the Libyan people against colonial forces, and the several battles Libya has engaged in.

The film shows the contradiction between how the Libyans and Italians treat prisoners. In one scene a young militant following Mukhtar gets captured and tortured in an office belonging to the Italian officer. He is asked "do you want to live?" to which he replies "I want him [Mukhtar] to live," which pushes the sentiment of sacrifice. He is later executed. Another scene shows the Libyan militants having control of an officer and a soldier, but refusing to kill them since they are considered "prisoners of war." In an important scene, when Mukhtar is captured, two officers debate how he should be treated since he is not only a prisoner but also an old man. They allow Mukhtar to have water so he can pray, which reflects the long-held argument that Mukhtar was respected by his enemies even when he was shackled.