Review of Lawrence of Arabia (1962) by Alison C — 09 May 2013

One of the greatest films. Ever. This is one of those movies people are referring to when they say "They don't make movies like they used to." Its brilliant! Its one of those movies that you don't just watch, you experience. The cinematography is jaw-dropping. Long, far shots of stunning landscapes. People appearing as a just a black speck on the horizon, wavering in the lines of dessert heat, slowly growing as they come toward you. This movie is the definition of 'Epic". It is about a man who doesn't quite fit with the people he is supposed to, his fellow Englishmen. Instead, he finds his place in the dessert as a leader and hero of the Arabian revolt. He must come to terms with who he is. He begins to think of himself as godlike, and, naturally, that all comes crashing down. He also has a deep personal struggle with violence. In addition to his own personal problems, there is the matter of his loyalties, and trying to give the Arabians their independence without the English swooping in and taking over.

The story is told so engagingly and each time you see it, you get something new from it. The shots are composed so brilliantly. One of my favorites is when Lawrence has just lead a victorious sack of a Turkish train. He climbs on top of the train and walks on it while the Arabs cheer his name. But it's all about the visual. He stands in front of the sun, twirling, and reveling in the admiration. As he walks, we see only his legs and feet, and the crowd below, emphasizing the way they almost worship him. And then later when he is assaulted by a Turkish officer, there is a shot of only the feet of the officer and Lawrence when the officer strips him. And then when he is beaten, there is another feet shot when they put down the bench and lay Lawrence on it. We see the soldier's feet and then Lawrence's face. He goes from being above, to on the same level, and then with his face at other's feet. What delicious visual of symbolism! And I love how at the end of the movie, a motorcycle rides by, reminding you of how he died at the beginning of the movie. For such an extraordinary man, he died such a normal death! Nothing is written.