Review of Lawrence of Arabia (1962) by Michael Y — 11 Nov 2010

Nothing is written. Though Lawrence is British, he rose above what was considered possible to become an Arabian. This film is a wonderful epic about his story.

In WWI the British army was fighting the Turks with the alliance on the Arabs. The Generals send misfit T.E. Lawrence to report their actions and intentions, but instead Lawrence singlehandedly leads the Arabs into battle and wins their respect. This is a very interesting biopic about a very interesting man. What makes this movie so interesting is Peter O'Toole's brilliant preformance as Lawrence and his descent from a British hand to an Arab warrior. This movie also costars some very well known talents such as Alec Guinnes, Omar Sharif and Jose Ferrer. It's Lawrence's struggle with his identity that's most intriguing, and the way he is treated in the presence of his the people he serves, and the people he leads.

Once and a while there is always a need to sit through an old 3+ hour epic. Lawrence of Arabia is a healthy dose of that need, serving an excellent story with great preformances and a wonderful filming enviroment. This movie's vast, open and bleak dessert backdrop is the greatest backdrop in filmmaking history. The dessert serves as an important character in itself and backs the power of the story with great importance. The director, David Lean, makes excellent use of shots in showing the dessert and the violent action. There are also some very respectable details in sets and costumes. But the greatest detail of all is this movie's iconic and Oscar winning music score.

Winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Lawrence of Arabia is a fantastic film and story. It's use of focus on not only the characters but the world's beauty and horror are inspiring and mesmerizing. This nearly 4 hour masterpiece can never seem to tire me of it.