Lawrence of Arabia Reviews

Lean always focused his films on the ways in which individuals and their personal characteristics clash and meld with the larger social,cultural, and historical surround in which they are located, and so each film is a particularly captivating study of the specific dynamics of each such situation. Each of these films is also a well-choreographed and photographed excursion into the topography, climate, and landscape of the geographic location in which the drama unfolds. The eyes and ears are always delighted by what Lean displays.

Here young and bookish Lawrence is faced with the unenviable and unlikely prospect of trying to unite the multitude of Arab Bedouin tribes in support of the Allies in the regional warfare associated with WWI. The film captures this unlikely and somewhat quixotic personal odyssey most memorably, and a very young Peter O'Toole is masterful in his edgy portrayal of the enigmatic Lawrence as a time-trapped romantic caught by whimsy and circumstance in the most mind-boggling adventure of a lifetime, an adventure that broke all the rules of convention and upper-class British expectations.

He meets his match with other characters played by Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, and Sir Alec Guinness. And in capturing the comically mismatched skills, expectations, and romanticism that Lawrence projected into the larger picture of what was going on, by viewing his personal odyssey in the context of the much larger cultural framework of Arab ambitions, jealousies, and cultural differences, we are magically transported into the strange and marvelous world of the Arabian desert and all the romance and mystery of that region.

Viewing each of David Lean's splendid and classic films is a treat and a privilege; no one was as prolific, as consistent, and as engaging a storyteller as he. "Lawrence of Arabia" is one of his finest films, and as such represents a wonderful standard of excellence in storytelling and film experiences. Sit down and relax, for you are in a master's hands. Enjoy!

Rating: 5 - The way movies should be made
"There is only the desert for you." These words, uttered by Anthony Quinn to Peter O'Toole, encapsulate the drama and enigma that was T.E. Lawrence's life. David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" is a masterpiece of directing, acting and cinematography. After seeing the film, I read Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", and realized how much of the actual epic didn't make it into the movie. But the film captures the essence of Lawrence's struggle to balance his ambitions with his romantic notions of Arabia. It is the way movies should be made. Lean's tortuous months in Jordan produced a mesmerizing and compelling vista of the desert - as captivating to us as it was to Lawrence. The landscape plays a silent actor to the human characters: it is always there, harsh, relentless, and woven into men's lives. Peter O'Toole's Lawrence is by turns driven and reluctant, part romantic scholar, part egotistic messiah. His Arabs and Arabia are the windmill he tilts at while fighting the Turks... in the end, neither the bedouin nor the land will yield to his notions of salvation. It's Lawrence's personal salvation that Lean is interested in. The supporting cast is superb. Omar Sharif is splendid as Ali, the man whose initial suspicions about Lawrence are transfomed into devotion and fear, and who dubbed the lanky Englishman "El Orens". Anthony Quinn gives a tour-de-force performance as Auda Abu Tayi, the proud, irrational leader of the Howitat tribe. It's a pleasure to watch him spar with Anthony Quayle's Colonel Brighton (recalling their appearances in "The Guns of Navaronne"). Alec Guiness, a Lean veteran from "Bridge Over the River Kwai" proves that there is life before "Star Wars", in his role as Prince Faisal. The movie glosses over some of the historical facts of Arabian politics during WWI, and Lawrence's surviving family sharply criticized Lean's film, but I think he has made a nearly perfect movie. 37 years later, it's still one of the greatest works of the big screen.

Rating: 5 - Arabian Winner
Lawrence Of Arabia is one of the biggest and grandest films ever made. Director David Lean crafted a stunning epic that tells the tale of World War I British soldier T.E. Lawrence. Lawrence joined the various desert tribes of Arabia against the Turks and the desert battle scenes are breathtaking. Peter O'Toole is amazing as Lawrence in what would be a star-making turn for him. Omar Shariff, Anthony Quinn and Alec Guinness provide strong support, but this is Mr. Lean's film through and through. His direction provides sweeping shots of the desert vistas and gives the film its big look, but he also allows the story to flow and we really get inside the complicated head of Lawrence and see his psychological foibles. The film is beautifully transferred to DVD and it brings justice to the film that had previously suffered on video transfers. The movie was a major success as it swept through the 1962 Oscars winning Best Picture and Best Director, but Mr. O'Toole lost out on what would be the first of his of his seven unsuccessful Best Actor nominations.

For more details and to buy the Lawrence of Arabia DVD from Amazon, you might like to try:

Lawrence of Arabia