Genre Grandeur – Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Encore Review – MovieRob

For this month’s next review for Genre Grandeur – Films that feature/take place in Desert areas here’s a review of Lawrence of Arabia (1962) by Me

Thanks again to Paul of the People’s Movies for choosing this month’s Genre.

Next month’s genre has been chosen by David of BluePrint: Review and we will be reviewing our favorite Films featuring Swordfighting.

Please get me your submissions by the 25th of May by sending them to engarde@movierob.net

Try to think out of the box!

Let’s see what I thought of this movie:

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“If we’ve been telling lies, you’ve been telling half-lies. A man who tells lies, like me, merely hides the truth. But a man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it.” – Mr. Dryden

Number of Times Seen – at least three times (mid-1990’s, 31 Jan 2014 and 26 Apr 2024)

Link to original review – Here

Brief Synopsis – A British junior officer is sent across Arabia to try and get help from the warring Arab Tribes in defeating the Turkish Army during World War I.

My Take on it – David lean was an exceptional director and was always able to create such epic stories that both look and feel so profound in all that they do. This is not my favorite of his films, but it is quite high on the list due to the way that he presents this story. The cinematography is unbelievable and helps enhance the film so much especially with how it makes the sand in the desert feel like a character in the story. The vast shots of the desert landscape help transport the viewer to this seemingly desolate place so filled with life. The politics from over a century ago are still relevant today and the story shows how decisions are made from afar with little regard to the people involved. Peter O’Toole is superb in the title role here and gives one of the bets performances of his career. My favorite character here tho is the one played by Omar Sharif who steals every scene he is in by the wisdom and tenacity of his character. The film won 7 of it’s 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for Lean. I would love to one day find a way to see this film in a theater on the big screen.

Highly Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – This movie took longer to make than it did for the real T.E. Lawrence to go from Lieutenant to Colonel and to see the desert tribes united and thus tip the balance in the Allies’ favor against the Turks in World War I. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10) (no change from original review)