The film is set in Libya during the 1920s and centers on the historical figure Omar Mukhtar, a native Bedouin teacher-turned-guerrilla leader. As the Italian colonial empire expands under the rule of dictator Benito Mussolini, General Rodolfo Graziani is tasked with subduing the rebellious Libyan populace. The indigenous Libyans, seeking freedom from foreign occupation, rally behind Mukhtar, whose deep knowledge of the desert landscape and warfare tactics gives them a strategic advantage. While Italy employs modern warfare technology and the might of a European power, the Libyan resistance, armed with old-fashioned rifles and indomitable spirit, fights a guerilla war. Mukhtar inspires his people through his wisdom, moral integrity, and profound resilience.

Tensions escalate as Graziani grows increasingly ruthless, employing brutal measures to crush Mukhtar's rebellion. The civilian population suffers under the harsh policies of the occupiers, including the Italians' construction of concentration camps. Despite being vastly outnumbered and facing internal dissent among the Arab tribes, Mukhtar's fighters persist in their struggle. They strategically utilize hit-and-run tactics and the harsh desert conditions to their advantage, evading the Italians' superior firepower. As sacrifices are made and the conflict intensifies, the drive for liberty clashes with the harrowing reality of colonial oppression, leading to a legendary standoff between a determined people fighting for their rightful place in their land and an imperial force bent on domination.