Review of Lawrence of Arabia

I like old movies. I especially like the old, epic films where subjects form history are dealt with extensively. David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia is most certainly a film which falls into the category of an epic film which deals with a subject, World War I, from history.The first time I saw it I was astounded by the cinematography; the shots of the dessert were remarkable. I think a comparison could be made between the dessert scenses in Lawrence and the dessert scenes in the English Patient. Both films use the dessert as the primary setting for the movie. So when someone says that a movie like Lawrence of Arabia couldn't be made today, I would say look at the English Patient. Yet I digress and return to a study of Lawrence of Arabia. As I was writing, the cinematograhy is phenomenal. The acting, editing, costumes, and direction are also excellent.

The film begs many questions about Britain's overseas operations. Why did they want to mettle in the affairs of the Middle East? For territorial acquisition? For glory? The film ends with the Middle East mired in conflict just as it is today. So what makes T.E. Lawrence such a hero when he changed little? Why make a film about him? The back story is too long for a blog. Perhaps a paper? Lawrence was a hero of WWI in the English speaking World. He graced newspaper cover all over the World. He was truly a remarkable man. Yet, what makes Lawrence of Arabia such a remarkable film?

I think it is it's ambitious nature. It grasps at a larger than life hero and shows audiences how he rose to such stature. The opening sequence is an intersting choice by Lean. It begins with the death of Lawrence while riding a motorcycle. Then, we are taken to Lawrence's funeral where he has been place with other British heros of wars past. Peter O'toole, who is one of my favorite actors, plays Lawrence, and I must say his eyes could not be any bluer and his hair could not be any blonder, this is perhaps alluding to the rumor that Lawrence was a homosexual, yet the film was made in 1962, well before it was accepted to be openly gay. Yet I digress again. The performance of O' Toole I thought was masterful. We see Lawrence change froma bookish, intellectual type working in the "home" office into a guerilla fighter fighting to bring down the Turkish Empire, making promises to tribal leaders in Arabia, and showing off for newspapermen. Yet, the cast is replete with good performances, which makes this movie an incredible tour de force. Alec Guinness, great as Prince Faissal, Omar Sharrif as Sherif Ali, and Anthony Quinn as the tribal leader. I even like the stiff, British army officers.

Perhaps my favorite scene, apart from the first dessert sequence wher Omar Sharrif's character rides out from the mirage, is where Lawrence walks into the British army's quaters dressed in an Arab Sheik's clothes with a small Arab boy and orders lemonade. Immediately they draw a crowd. I think this present a quandary about Lawrence which serves as a theme throughout the film. As I have already mentioned, why did Lawrence want so much to take Aquaba? He is a peculiar character. he doesn't seem to be totally enamored with British nationalism, with the expansion of the Empire at the beginning. I suppose his character changes over the course of the movie. By the end he has become a demoagogue who believes in his own bloated reputation.

I am not done with this. I will return to expand on this film.