Lawrence Of Arabia reviews (1962)

Lawrence Of Arabia

1962

Overall rating: 4 out of 5

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Blu-ray: Please note that this rental is sent with two discs in one sleeve

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

Lawrence Of Arabia details

Formats:	12 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Gamil Ratib, Omar, Gamil Ratib /
Director:	David Lean
Genres:	Action/Adventure - Epic, Historical, Drama - Historical, Romantic
Studio:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Collections:	100 must-see movies, 100 Swords and Sandals Films, American Film Institute's top 100, At War, Best Picture Oscar Winners, Decades: 60s, Full English, Girls Vs. Boys

Name	Discs
Lawrence Of Arabia	12 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	3 hours 47 minutes
Rental release:	08 Sep 2003
Main languages:	English
Subtitles:	Dutch, English, Hindi

Name	Discs
Lawrence Of Arabia	12 Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	3 hours 38 minutes
Rental release:	08 Oct 2012
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review Lawrence Of Arabia

A true epic

By YDL13 from Mid Glamorgan , 09 Jun 2004

[Highly rated reviewer]

With a running time in excess of 3 hours it truly is an epic film, besides it won 7 Oscars and in its day that was epic!

At the risk of being branded "an old wrinkly" I can remember being taken to see this film in the "sixties" with my parents. The film absolutely bowled me over then and now in my fifties it has so much more to offer now that I can better appreciate the stupendous cinematography, acting and settings.

It has action in abundance yet still conveys the era and story faithfully. This is a must see film for both children and adults alike. A true story about one of England's greatest unsung heroes set in the lands that we commonly now refer to as "The Gulf". I cannot praise the scenes enough, although you have to see it in widescreen to truly appreciate all its glory.
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A Masterpiece

By FilmBob (1 review) , 08 May 2013

Made before the advent of CGI, it takes some thought to realise that each person, camel, etc, in this sweeping epic is real, and not a virtual creation. Once that sinks in, the true scope of the film can be appreciated, not only as a film, but a reflection of the truly great life of one of the Greatest Britons. The Blu-ray doesn't disappoint, with beautiful visual detail and sound. A definite candidate as a permanent addition to any collection.
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LAWRENCE OF ARABIA

By WEEWILLY (2 reviews) , 25 Mar 2013

OF ALL THE FILMS THAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS TRULY MEMORABLE AND OUTSTANDING - I COULD WATCH IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN - THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THIS BLU RAY IN YOUR RENTAL LIST - WILLIAM LINCE
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LAWRENCE OPF ARABIA

By LAYERRA (5 reviews) from Ayr , 12 Feb 2013

HOW TO MAKE AN EPIC, THE PHOTOGRAPHY ALONE, MAKES IT WORTH WATCHING, THEY JUST DONT MAKE FILMS THIS GOOD ANYMORE, ACTING FIRST CLASS, SETS FIRST CLASS, COSTUMES FIRST CLASS, MUSIC..... STUNNING. SUPERB
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A classic.

By Sam5678 (1 review) , 19 Jan 2013

Absolutely fantastic. Tells the story of T. E Lawrence very well, even if some of it is pure speculation. A well made film, worth every minute.
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True Epic

By BettyH (2 reviews) from Wotton-under-Edge , 11 Jan 2013

A true epic. It looked marvelous in blu ray on our 42' screen. Well worth watching again, it really hasn't aged.
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