This sweeping, highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole, in the role that made him a star). After a prologue showing us Lawrence's ultimate fate, we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer, .. Read more
| Starring | Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins |
|---|---|
| Director | David Lean |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
loading...
This sweeping, highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole, in the role that made him a star). After a prologue showing us Lawrence's ultimate fate, we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer, Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert, he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif, making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter: Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness) dismisses him as yet another desert-loving Englishman, and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad. Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery, Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). After successfully completing his mission, Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies, as represented by Gen. Allenby (Jack Hawkins) and Dryden (Claude Rains), who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa, Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey (Jose Ferrer). In the heat of the next battle, a wild-eyed Lawrence screams No prisoners! and fights more ruthlessly than ever. Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence's own self-published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source, although some of the characters are composites, and many of the historical incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making (you can see O'Toole's weight fluctuate from scene to scene), the movie, lensed in Spain and Jordan, ended up costing a then-staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean's director's cut was seen: 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release, and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration, at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
| Starring | Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, Jose Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Arthur Kennedy, Henry Oscar, Claude Rains, Norman Rossington, Donald Wolfit, Fernando Sancho, I.S. Johar, Hugh Miller, Gamil Ratib, Michel |
|---|---|
| Director | David Lean |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 3 hrs 47 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Collections | 100 must-see movies, 100 Swords and Sandals Films, American Film Institute's top 100, Best Picture Oscar Winners, Full English |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Subtitles | DVD: Dutch, English, Hindi |
| Released | Production year: 1962 To Rent: DVD: 08 Sep 2003 |
Sprawling epic which manages after four hours to give no insight whatever into the complexities of character of this mysterious historic figure, but is often spectacularly beautiful and exciting along the way.
- 66
- 0
Why doesn't this film work for me ????????
David Lean, epic film about a great true story, good casting with just about everyone in it, a good debut from Omar Sharif, great scenery filmed to perfection, ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
[Highly rated reviewer]
- 66
- 0
Why doesn't this film work for me ????????
David Lean, epic film about a great true story, good casting with just about everyone in it, a good debut from Omar Sharif, great scenery filmed to perfection, ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
- 0
- 7
Epic, classic cinema...
Wonderful film detailing the exploits of T.E.lawrence; played to a 'T' by Peter O'Toole—and made sufficiently long ago to be able to credibly ... read more »
- 3
- 3
Dated but great cinematography
I'm afraid this didn't live up to my expectation as one of the greats of all time. Probably one to see at the cinema rather than small screen. Peter O&#... read more »
Cinema classic "Lawrence of Arabia" has been named as the best epic film in a new Total Film top 50. David Lean's 1962 film beat off stiff competition from the likes of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to claim top spot in a Total Film magazine list. As well as winning multiple Oscars, the film also propelled actors Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif into the limelight. O'Toole was nominated for his first Oscar for his performance, before going on to be in contention for six more gongs to... Read more
by:
Tolis
from Kent
Want to watch something right now?
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | EULA | Affiliates | Jobs | Inside LOVEFiLM Blog | About Us | Contact Us
International sites UK DK DE SE NO
LOVEFiLM, the LOVEFiLM logo and all other LOVEFiLM product or service names are trade marks of LOVEFiLM International Ltd. or its affiliates.
© 2012 LOVEFiLM UK Ltd. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
84.6% from 44 members
