Lawrence of Arabia

Rating

Director

David Lean

Screenplay

Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson (Writings of T.E. Lawrence)

Length

227 min.

Starring

Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, Jos Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Wolfit

MPAA Rating

Approved

Review

When looking back at the evolution of the motion picture, the epic has been an integral part of that history. Whether it’s the time-spanning D.W. Griffith classic Birth of a Nation, the romantic see-saw of Gone With the Wind or the biblical testament of The Ten Commandments, few directors have been more capable of handling such a massive undertaking as David Lean.

Lean, who five years prior saw his The Bridge on the River Kwai capture the Best Picture Academy Award, created his biggest cinematic success in Lawrence of Arabia. Based on the writings of British officer T.E. Lawrence, Peter O’Toole brings the self-possessed military man vividly to the screen.

Lawrence is chosen to use his book knowledge to spy on the Arab faction headed by Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness). In doing so, he becomes the catalyst for true Arab independence, working to bring the warring factions together and control all of the Arabian Peninsula.

O’Toole gives a masterful performance starting off as the emotionally unstable officer whose passions lay more in the literary world than in the physical one. He’s a book worm and a strange one at that, having learned so much about the peoples of Arabia that when he’s assigned to spy on them, he can’t help but sympathize and held foster a revolution.

Lean’s ability to keep such a lengthy film on task is laudable. Lawrence of Arabia spans more than a year of historical time and nearly four hours of screen time. It is the kind of massive production that just isn’t undertaken anymore and if more films could be made like this, it would be wonderful. Though the difficulty of sitting through such a lengthy movie is mitigated by an intermission, it is nonetheless a daunting exercise.

What helps keep the film feeling brisk is its stunning visuals. Cinematographer Freddie Young (credited here as F.A. Young) captures the beauty and desperation of the people and the setting. The film is gorgeous to watch, worth every bit of the effort put into it.

The film is about one man’s determination to find his way in a world that isn’t as black-and-white as the Turks or the Brits wish to describe it. Neither side is looking for more than land to occupy. Lawrence takes it upon himself to act as the harbinger of change, leading the Arab tribes to miraculous victories over people who would care little more than to see them left to the desert they call home.

Lawrence of Arabia deserves a fresh release to the Cineplex. Certainly it won’t draw the numbers it did when it was a box office success in 1962 but it can perhaps recapture the majesty that was no doubt felt upon seeing it on the big screen for the first time.

Review Written

November 14, 2006