"The Sheik" is a 1921 silent film directed by George Melford, based on the novel by E. M. Hull. The story follows a passionate romance between a British woman, Diana Mayo, and a mysterious Arab sheik, Ahmed Ben Hassan, played by Rudolph Valentino. The film explores themes of love, cultural differences, and the allure of the exotic. The film was a significant success and helped to establish Valentino as a major star in Hollywood. It is often credited with popularizing the "sheik" genre in cinema, influencing many subsequent films that depicted romanticized versions of Middle Eastern culture.