Lawrence of Arabia

Rating:
Summary: A Spectacular Treat
Review: I watched this DVD over the weekend, I think this was the first time I have seen it since I first saw it when it came out in 1962. I have a Dolby Digital sound system and watched it on a large screen using a video projector, and it was a spectacular treat to watch and hear! It's unbelievable that this movie was made 40 years ago! David Lean was truly a master, and this was one of his very best.

Rating:
Summary: Worth digging this dinosaur out of the desert!
Review: Directed by David Lean (famous from "Bridge Over the River Kwai"), "Lawrence of Arabia" recounts the true story of the British Intelligence officer T.E. Lawrence (d. 1935). Lawrence was sent to Arabia during the First World War, and successfully operated behind enemy lines to unite various Arab tribes in guerrilla warfare against the Turks. The movie focuses on Lawrence's fiercely independent and enigmatic spirit, which rebelled against the British regime under which he served, yet enabled him to be successful in his mission. Lawrence does not share British colonist ambitions in Arabia but has his own agenda. Lawrence goes against the grain by treating the Arabs with respect, despite their unfamiliarity with the guns, machines and bombs of modern warfare, and successfully forges important alliances with their leaders. He secures their enduring respect and near religious devotion by risking his life for others, and accomplishing the impossible. In the end, the question "Who are you?" is of deep significance: is Lawrence British or is he Arab?

Despite the World War I context, the movie doesn't focus on battle scenes, because most of the conflict is psychological or against the elements. Lawrence's own character struggles and development are the focus, as is his interaction with Arab and British leaders. But Lawrence's struggle is not only against a human enemy, but also equally against the hostile desert landscape. With epic cinematography that leaves you feeling the desert wind and heat, viewers feel exposed to the elements as Lawrence was. The fierce conditions in the desert and wild passions of the Arabs are wonderfully contrasted with the strict military discipline of the British army at their base with their generals sipping tea, and priding themselves in mundane achievements ("We've just built a new squash court"). There are a few battles scenes, featuring thunderous hooves, rifle shots, and war whoops, in an epic sequences involving thousands of men, camels and horses. There are also a few scenes of violence and death (including execution, torture, and a massacre) that would be disturbing to children (they were disturbing to Lawrence!). It was widely believed that Lawrence was homosexual, and there are a couple of aspects in the movie that could be interpreted as having homosexual overtones. But on the whole the movie is about the man Lawrence, his passions and eccentric personality. Lawrence's prime character trait was an ego that was bigger than he was, and this arrogant pride eventually destroyed him.

The change in Lawrence's character after he is tortured is somewhat sudden and hard to follow, as the man who was previously afraid of blood now shocks his men by ordering them to massacre a column of retreating Turks. But this aside, it's a wonderful movie with adventure, epic sequences, extraordinary scenery, and good characterization. It still stands up remarkably well after more than 40 years, because never do you have the feeling that you are watching something thoroughly outdated. Considering that the movie weighs in at well over three and a half hours, it's also lengthy. Remarkably, there are no girls and no love story, but it works. Most memorable are portrait of the man Lawrence (Peter O'Toole was relatively unknown prior to this film, but produced an immense performance in the starring role) and the spectacle of the harsh desert scenery (no doubt best viewed on the big screen!). The passion of the characters, conflicts and cinematography are as powerful today as they were in 1962. It's no wonder that this movie won seven Academy Awards in its time, and thirty years later is still regarded by many as one of the top ten of all time movie classics. It may not be entirely accurate in its depiction of the history (the portrayal of Lawrence was sharply criticized by his family, and the depiction of Arabs is somewhat stereotyped). But even if it's somewhat of a mirage, this classic is worth digging up from the desert of the past to watch all over again.

Rating:
Summary: I fantastic film with a big mistake...
Review: Lawrence of Arabia a fantastic movie.Seeing the the things you have studied at school is realy good.As a Turkish student,I study Ottoman Empire at school too and watching an important event from a fantastic film is great.In some parts people who are supposed to be Ottoman are alike Ottoman people.However there is a big mistake in the film that puts shadow on the movie`s success.
I don`t know if any of you have been able to spot it but when the Arabs attack to one of the "Ottoman" city we see "Turkish"flags which is the flag of "Republic of Turkey" not the "Ottoman Empire"`s flag put in to represent Ottoman Empire`s forces.The the same mistake when we see the "Ottoman Empire"`s aircrafts too.This is a big insult to the Great Ottoman Empire who survived in Europe and in Anatolia for 600 years and a big insult to the "Republic of Turkey".That is right Ottomans are Turkish people`s ancestor and none of the Turkish people feels shame but honor about it.However putting Turkey`s flag in to the place of Ottoman Empire`s flag is a big minus for a such big movie.

Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny
Review: This is an especially brillant edition of one of the cinematic masterpieces of our time. The digital transfer is excellent and the added features alone are worth the price. I'd have given the movie 6 stars if I could. If you've never seen this David Lean epic you're in for a major treat. One caveat: the bigger your TV screen the more you will enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Boredom in Arabia
Review: A 90-minute story in a 220 minute marathon of tedium. Easily the most boring movie of all time.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Now, while this movie isn't everyone's cup of tea (some find it too long, or not having enough action), this massive desert epic brings a famous (but somewhat minor) chapter of World War I alive (though it stops short of depicting the British breaking their promise to the Arab leader).
The acting is excellent, and the music is some of the best to hit the cinema. "Lawrence" is a movie that everyone should try once, and one that will always be appreciated.

Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: This epic story is the true story of T.E. Lawrence, an ordinary British officer serving in the middle east, who became the leader of the Bedouins against the Turks in WWI. The grandeur of the desert is beautifully photographed and there are numerous battle scenes, but the emphasis is on character here. Each of the Arab leaders had a different reason for fighting the Turks, the British commanders were often heartless, and Lawrence was surprised to find he loved war.

Peter O'Toole is magnificent as the troubled Lawrence, who fought inner demons while leading thousands of Arabs to victory. He is so beautiful, dashing, and heroic, you cannot take your eyes off of him. Co-starring are Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness, and Anthony Quinn as the Arab leaders. Sharif matches O'Toole's intensisty and appeal. The epic soundtrack is majestic and familiar to everyone. This is a film to cherish.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies Ever
Review: This movie is so fantastic. A story of perserverence and determination, and a story of fighting to build a new beauty on an ancient canvass. War, and Arabian culture, and British pride express themselves over magnificent desert scenery. It is inspirational and beautiful and tragic. The desert is brought to life in this epic. David Lean does a fantastic job in casting and directing, and Peter O'Toole is perfect. Laurence of Arabia is a movie that everyone should watch.

Rating:
Summary: A catchy title is a feeble way to summarize this masterwork
Review: I'll keep this rather concise. The title of this film is important: Not just "Lawrence" (a title a less imaginative director and writer might've attached to such a project), but "Lawrence of ARABIA." David Lean's saga tells the story of a man, disenchanted with the banality and rigid conformism of conventional society and the British military, who uses the desert as a stage upon which he creates and brings to life an entire enigmatic, legendary persona. His colorful behavior leads all of us to ask: What are Lawrence's true intentions in leading these wild Arabs? Is he a shameless, posturing opportunist? Does he genuinely care for the anti-Turkish cause? Is he seeking an escape from sterile "normal" life in an adventure with theatrical sheiks and surging waves of sabre-waving calvary? Is he a man abandoning his regulated station in favor of creating his own reality, his own life, as he chooses to shape it?

I think it's a swirling, delightful, exuberant mixture of all of them.

David Lean is a genius, as is less-is-more wordsmith Robert Bolt. And what about Peter O'Toole, you ask? No one besdies him could have generated such a wild-eyed, over the top drama.

And I won't even comment on that dazzling supporting cast of Omar Shariff, Alec Guiness, Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, and Jack Hawkins. And I will especially avoid going out of my way to describe the visuals of the film. Words can capture not its spirit and its vitality...this energy of a wash of robes against the backdrop of the arid immensity.

I don't hold any one film to be my absolute FAVORITE of all time, but I do cherish a selection of films as my favorites, and films I consider to be the best of all time. Lawrence of Arabia is among them, alongside 8 1/2, 400 Blows, Citizen Kane, the Godfather, the Seventh Seal, Casablanca, and some others. But Lawrence transcends most of the other in the sheer panoramic scope of its imagination. This movie could never be made by a majoy Hollywood studio today; directors lack the courage and the inventiveness.

Rating:
Summary: "We can't all be lion tamers."
Review: Since I had not studied up on the life of T.E Lawrence before I saw this movie, I can't tell you if the real Lawrence was like the one in this movie. I can't say how accurate it is to the history (There has been evidence found that Lawrence was never at the massacre of the Turkish Army). I too agree that the straight historical facts can be exciting. But if you go to movies expecting the truth, you will be disappointed. We go to books for facts and to movies for feelings. "Lawrence of Arabia" should not marked down because it isn't a totally factual account. This is a rarity among epic movies; One that's not only visually stunning and ambitious, but also acted with enthusiasm, written with wit and excitement and directed with skill and passion.

"Lawrence" won a total of seven Academy Awards in 1962 including Best Picture. But sadly, none of its Oscars went to Peter O'Toole for his brilliant, eccentric performance as T.E Lawrence, a British Officer assigned to the Arabian Desert during World War I. There, he finds that the Arabian Tribes are fighting against one another. Lawrence unites these tribes in battle against the Turks, leading to many victories. Over time, he comes closer to discovering whom he is, why he is here and starts questioning as to whether he belongs to Arabia and England.

But while O'Toole and the supporting cast (Played by the likes of Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Jack Hawkins, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer, Anthony Quayle and Arthur Kennedy) get the billings in the movie, the real star is the desert. Thought to be a barren, desolate landscape with little life, the movie proves that it is very active. Every shot seems choreographed to show the beauty and danger of Arabia. We see sandstorms, twisters and miles of beautiful sand dunes. There are some beautiful shots of sunrises or sunsets (One of them part of a memorable edit). The movie is full of many great images, one of the most memorable being the long entrance of Sharif's character, coming out of the mirage. It looks like his camel is riding on nothing. Another memorable image is when Lawrence and his companions reach the Suez Canal. Their first glimpse is of a ship sailing in the canal. But with the way the scene is filmed, it looks as though the ship is sailing on desert.

The script, as I already stated, is surprisingly strong for an epic. The plot is focused and free of sideplots. The conversations between people are interesting and sometimes even exciting to listen to (Though this can also be attributed to direction, acting and/or editing). Here are some examples:

General Allenby: I thought I was a hard man, sir.
Prince Feisal: You are merely a general. I must be a king.

Auda Abu Tayi: Thy mother mated with a scorpion.

General Murray: I can't make out whether you're bloody bad-mannered or just half-witted.
T.E Lawrence: I have the same problem, sir.

Ali: Have you no fear, English?
T.E Lawrence: My fear is my concern.

General Allenby: I'm promoting you Major.
T.E Lawrence: I don't think that's a very good idea.

Finally, I must not ignore Maurice Jarre's music score. Like the movie, it is difficult to put in words the effect it has on a viewer. But I just dare you to forget it, any part of it. I had the main theme stuck in my head after I saw it. All I can say is that you have to watch the movie for yourself (Or rent the CD soundtrack) to understand.

I wonder what it would be like if this movie were remade today. It would for certain be much different. To cut costs, there would be CGI sets and extras. There would have to be big name stars (Arnold Schwarzenegger as T.E Lawrence?). The movie would have more stylized and graphic violence than it original did and the pace would be fast and furious, with constant F-words. Finally, to appeal to a wider audience, there would have to be a romantic subplot involving Lawrence with a young British or Arabian woman who can't keep her clothes on (Though it's been said that Lawrence never had a girlfriend because he was sensitive to touching). Also, the movie would be shot not in the Arabian Desert but on some blue screen or studio backlot.

Lawrence lived to see himself become a legend. Those white robes he wears give him the image of a saint (Other hidden clues: Lawrence mentions Moses when he crossed the Nefud and the word god is used often throughout). He believed that he was different from others and even invincible. After being shot in the arm and asked if he needs a doctor, Lawrence remarks "It would take a golden bullet to kill me". But after being beaten and (implied) raped, he realizes that he isn't above other men, that any man "Is what I am". He soon loses hope in the campaign he's leading and by movie's end is not wanted by either the Arabs or the British. Thus, it seems fitting that, like Patton and MacArthur, Lawrence's death came not on a battlefield, but in a common motor accident.