Sixty plus years after its release Lawrence of Arabia remains for me the finest of epics in spite of its overlong running time which in the past ran anywhere from 166 minutes to this 3 hour 22 minute present day director's cut. It is a magnificent cinematic achievement probably never to be repeated with todays artificial CGI capability.
Based on the life of TE Lawrence, a British officer who helped lead the Arab revolt against the Ottoman empire during World War1, it is a 70 MM visual feast on a scale like no other as the desert takes center stage over some outstanding acting provided by an all star cast and incredibly tasteful direction David Lean.
Assigned to work with King Fasal to disrupt the Turks in Arabia Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) unites two Arab tribes to fight their common foe. After a daring raid on the coastal town of Acaba he gains fame and more arms for the Arabs along with the promise of letting Arabs rule their land. The British play him along with no intention of granting independence but colonialism instead. In battle the mild mannered Lawrence soon commits to atrocity and war crimes.
Under Lean's direction, Freddie Youngs photography is breathtaking in its sweep including the magnificent interiors of the Alcazar in Seville subbing for Cairo. Capturing its unforgiving vastness and disposition along the route to Acaba he follows it up with a rousing taking of the town in what has to be one of the most exciting panning shots in history.
O'Toole transforms nicely from banal officer, to megalomaniac to war criminal, though sometimes a bit overly sensitive in some situations. Omar Sharif as a chieftain is wooden, Tony Quinn as the other, properly over the top. A supporting cast featuring Jack Hawkins, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Jose Ferrer and Anthony Quayle are letter perfect amid impeccable set design in this questionable but beautifully presented piece of history, it's overlong length its only drawback.
Based on the life of TE Lawrence, a British officer who helped lead the Arab revolt against the Ottoman empire during World War1, it is a 70 MM visual feast on a scale like no other as the desert takes center stage over some outstanding acting provided by an all star cast and incredibly tasteful direction David Lean.
Assigned to work with King Fasal to disrupt the Turks in Arabia Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) unites two Arab tribes to fight their common foe. After a daring raid on the coastal town of Acaba he gains fame and more arms for the Arabs along with the promise of letting Arabs rule their land. The British play him along with no intention of granting independence but colonialism instead. In battle the mild mannered Lawrence soon commits to atrocity and war crimes.
Under Lean's direction, Freddie Youngs photography is breathtaking in its sweep including the magnificent interiors of the Alcazar in Seville subbing for Cairo. Capturing its unforgiving vastness and disposition along the route to Acaba he follows it up with a rousing taking of the town in what has to be one of the most exciting panning shots in history.
O'Toole transforms nicely from banal officer, to megalomaniac to war criminal, though sometimes a bit overly sensitive in some situations. Omar Sharif as a chieftain is wooden, Tony Quinn as the other, properly over the top. A supporting cast featuring Jack Hawkins, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Jose Ferrer and Anthony Quayle are letter perfect amid impeccable set design in this questionable but beautifully presented piece of history, it's overlong length its only drawback.