Reynold's The Beast, 1988.  I can't believe he did WATERWORLD...

And no, sparks fly when I say this--Citizen Kane isn't the best film ever made. 

P.S.  Lion of the Desert was pretty good as well, with Anthony Quinn (his greatest role, in my opinion)--it has that quality you're looking for in regards to Middle Eastern theme, ala Lawrence of Arabia, The Message . 