Movie Night: "Lawrence of Arabia"

We caught a late-night screening last weekend of the David Lean epic "Lawrence of Arabia." The movie classic is based on the life of British war hero T.E. Lawrence. It was a very long film -- nearly four hours. The "Lawrence of Arabia" we watched is the version restored in 1989 by a group of Hollywood filmmakers, which included such luminaries as Martin Scorcese and Steven Spielberg. The restored film had additional footage left out of the original movie that was theatrically released back in the early 1960's. The film's stunning exterior scenery and cinematography are reasons enough to see the movie. The story of the complex and controversial man who eventually earned the nickname "Lawrence of Arabia" is another. This was our second viewing of the film. The first time we saw it was a long time ago, in our youth in the 1980's. "Lawrence" still holds up nearly 20 years later and over 40 years after it was made. But our impression of Lawrence's character (as portrayed by the perfectly cast Peter O'Toole) is less sympathetic, less heroic, less idealized. This time around, he seems more infuriating, almost annoying, and, to put it bluntly, a bit of an asshole, in spite of his extraordinary integrity, bravery and intelligence. Nevertheless, "Lawrence of Arabia" is one of the greatest films ever made.

Posted by Robsam at March 28, 2006 11:29 PM