Rating: Summary: Classic Film Epic Review: David Lean's film is a masterful blend of history, adventure and psychology. O'Toole's intense performance is the centerpiece of the film along with the striking desert scenery. Be sure to get this one in widescreen to capture the mystique of the desert and the epic proportions of the film. The astounding cinematography along with Mauice Jarre's stirring score captures the mystery and the exotic lure of Arabia. O'Toole's performance is masterful--this is the film that made him a star. Alec Guiness plays an enigmatic Prince Feisal--one of his great over-looked roles. A must see for any true film historian
Rating: Summary: Region one or two? Review: Most people looking at this review of Lawrence will have seen the movie in the cinema and probably own the VHS version. I would recommend to these people that they buy the DVD! Unlike most DVD's there appears to be nothing to choose between the region one and two versions. The outside package of region one is better but you then have to put up with the booklet being loose in the box, region two is not quite as well presented but the booklet and fly sheet are better presented. The film is superb and I would suggest viewing on a projection TV.
Rating: Summary: A DVD Milestone! Review: I originally saw this great film in 1962 on the first release. I've seen it two more times on the big screen, once around 1972 and again around 1993 at the AFI theatre in DC after the restoration of 1988-89. Cut to the chase, I just watched the DVD, component out into a 36" monitor and it looks and sounds great. I thought the 5.1 Dolby Surround was very nicely mixed. The image was very crisp, very solid and stable colors and for once the sand was back to the natural salmon color of the original film. I hope there's a DTS mix someday. Anyway, it's great film. It's great to be able to "see" it again on DVD. I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: A giant among DVDs. Review: Glorious 2-disc set that does ample justice to Lean's epic masterpiece. I'm afraid I didn't notice the "errors" mentioned by one of the previous reviewers. Though I did notice Anthony Quinn's obviously dubbed voice during the restored scene when he asks Arthur Kennedy not to take his picture. The picture was startlingly clear at times and every grain of sand is visible. Also liked the fabric casing for the DVD box. The cornerstone of any DVD library. Hope Columbia does as good a job on Doctor Zhivago and Ryan's Daughter.
Rating: Summary: Lawrence of Arabia on DVD. Review: The long-awaited DVD version of "Lawrence of Arabia" is finally here; and it is not a diappointment. Crammed with special features & stylish packaging, this is a purchase best not passed over. The classic epic about one man's triumphant journey through the Arabian Penninsula during World War I is not just a story, but a cultural and historic landmark in filmaking. The movie, loosely based on T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" catches the essence of the book's magic as best a three-hour movie can about the escapades of a junior officer in the British Army whose ingenuity and courage lend catalyst to the Arabic revolt against the Turkish. The cinematography, soundtrack, and acting come together in choreographed perfection to create a marvel of sight, sound, and magic. This movie truly represents the pinnacle of Hollywood's moviemaking, and on DVD, it looks better than it has in years.
Rating: Summary: Watch out for sound synch problem! Review: There is a small but noticeable sound synching problem in the first half hour of the movie. I wouldn't say it ruins the movie, but it seems like an inexcusable mistake in a release of this magnitude. This was probably the most eagerly awaited DVD of the year other than the upcoming Godfather set. With any luck, a corrected version will be released.
Rating: Summary: Wiundows Strikes Again Review: This film is maybe the greatest motion picture ever made. But if you don't have WINDOWS software, you can't watch this DVD. Be careful, nowhere in the information provided can you learn this.
Rating: Summary: Columbia really botched this one bad. It needs a recall. Review: First of all, Columbia did not even ask Robert Harris, the person who knows this film the best, to participate in the mastering of this title because he was too much of a "perfectionist." That is a crime in and of itself. Lawrence is a piece of film history, some consider it the greatest film of all time. Secondly, the colors are wrong in many spots. Music cues are terribly wrong on the second disc in the 5.1 soundtrack. But, if you switch to the other language tracks it is fine. Lastly, there are many "jump" cuts that were not present in other formats version of the film. This DVD is a bunch of errors. For the music screwups alone, the disc should be recalled. You are making a mistake ordering it if you care about the film at all.
Rating: Summary: Wow! The Greatest "Desert Epic" finally comes to DVD! Review: American Film Institute voted "Lawrence of Arabia" the 5th greatest film out of 100 films in the last 100 years (1998). Winner of 7 Oscars Including; Best Picture 1962 & Best Director - David Lean. The movie is based on the book "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" written by T. E. Lawrence. This was Lieutanant Lawrence's tale of his adventures in Arabia during World War I while serving as a cartographer in the British Army.T.E. Lawrence (played by Peter O'Toole -his first major role - Oscar nominee) was a British Hero who brought infamy to himself and his counrty through his deeds in Africa. O'Toole's personifies Lawrence's character to the letter. In Summary; The period was during the war in Africa against the invading Turks. Lt Lawrence was an eccentric, interlectual & society outcast who joined the military to serve and explore the Arabian culture. He manipulated his way into being a miltary advisor for the Arabs in their fight against the Turks. Up until this time Lawrence was totally incompetent and disliked by all his fellow officers. Well Lawrences genius and ability to befriend & unite the feuding Arab tribes & fight the Turks was nothing but unbelieveable since his fellow advisors had no success at all. Lawrence not only unified the tribes, but was adopted & elected by them (his British Officers hated this because of his independent nature) to lead their revolt against the Turks defeating them continuously. He was treated as a world wide hero & devine leader and the rest is history. This movie is the grandest in cinematic scale and the desert mesmerizes our senses. We become totally absorbed in its splendor. Digitally remasterd both in picture and sound presents the haunting immense scope of the desert beautifully. The many extras on this DVD make you understand the complexity of the man & the making of this "Desert Epic". A very long movie and an very slow evolving telling of this long complicated storyline. David Lean is the master storyteller & he does this beautifully.
Rating: Summary: Great DVD. Too tough to get the Discs out!! Review: Just like everyone else I have 5 stars for it. But, damn what where they thinking when they designed the box. I could not get the discs out after trying for a while. I was scared I might break them. So, I simply decide to break the center teeeth that hold the DVD to take it our safely. Too bad I can't put them back in such a nice looking box.
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