The 1962 film, Lawrence of Arabia, depicted the time that Thomas E Lawrence, a World War I British Army officer, spent with the Arabs. The film won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Score, Director, Cinematography, and Picture. Many consider it to be among the greatest movies ever made. Its main focus is on the role Lawrence played in the war between the Arabs and the Turks.
Borrowing a page from Citizen Kane, the movie opens with Lawrence's death in 1935. He was killed while riding a motorcycle near his home when he swerved to miss two boys on bicycles. Reporters at his funeral services try in vain to glean some understanding of the man from those who knew him best. The action then shifts to World War I Cairo. Lieutenant Lawrence is dispatched to ascertain what chance Prince Faisal appears to have in his rebellion against the Turks. In a meeting with Faisal, Lawrence recommends a daring attack on Aqaba. From that point on, Lawrence finds himself firmly entrenched in the Arab Rebellion, even when it puts him at odds with his native land. During the course of the war, he discovers aspects of his personality that disturb him, such as a certain enjoyment of killing.
Ironically, most actors who starred in the film were not the first ones chosen. Lawrence is portrayed by Peter O'Toole, but the part was passed on by Albert Finney and Marlon Brando first. When Laurence Olivier dropped out, the part of Prince Faisal then went to Alec Guinness. The producer wanted Cary Grant for the part of General Allenby, but the director persuaded him to sign Jack Hawkins for the role. Sherif Ali was portrayed by Omar Sharif after the part was refused by Horst Buchholz and then Alain Delon. Some scenes had already been shot with Edmond O'Brien as Jackson Bentley when he became ill and had to leave. Arthur Kennedy was then offered the role of the American reporter. However, Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, and Jose Ferrer were not among the second choices.
Several additional characters were also based on real people. General Murray, Prince Faisal, Auda abu Tayi, and General Allenby all played a part in Lawrence's life. His servants, Farraj and Daud, and Talal, who committed a suicidal charge at Tafas, were real. So was Gasim, who was first rescued and then executed by Lawrence.
Many characters were drawn from several different people. Sherif Ali was fictional but believed to be largely based on a cousin of Prince Faisal. Colonel Stewart Newcombe seems to be the inspiration for Colonel Brighton. Lowell Thomas obviously served as the model for Jackson Bentley, the American newsman.
Like most films that are based on historical facts, the film takes some liberties with the truth. For example, the Arab Council was far more powerful than the movie indicated. The desertion of the Arab army was a work of fiction. Other facts, such as the reporter's statement in late 1917 that America was not yet in the war, warped the timeline a bit.
Lawrence's brother and reporter Lowell Thomas have both been critical of the way the movie portrayed Lawrence. Debate has ensued among some as to whether Lawrence was homosexual, egotistical, or masochistic. Such arguments, however, had not led to a decline in the film's popularity.
There have been several versions of Lawrence of Arabia since 1962. The original theatrical release was 222 minutes without the intermission, exit music, and overture. Next, twenty minutes were cut. In the seventies, there was a version that ran just a little over three hours. Finally, in 1989, there was a 216 minute version released. - 39815
Borrowing a page from Citizen Kane, the movie opens with Lawrence's death in 1935. He was killed while riding a motorcycle near his home when he swerved to miss two boys on bicycles. Reporters at his funeral services try in vain to glean some understanding of the man from those who knew him best. The action then shifts to World War I Cairo. Lieutenant Lawrence is dispatched to ascertain what chance Prince Faisal appears to have in his rebellion against the Turks. In a meeting with Faisal, Lawrence recommends a daring attack on Aqaba. From that point on, Lawrence finds himself firmly entrenched in the Arab Rebellion, even when it puts him at odds with his native land. During the course of the war, he discovers aspects of his personality that disturb him, such as a certain enjoyment of killing.
Ironically, most actors who starred in the film were not the first ones chosen. Lawrence is portrayed by Peter O'Toole, but the part was passed on by Albert Finney and Marlon Brando first. When Laurence Olivier dropped out, the part of Prince Faisal then went to Alec Guinness. The producer wanted Cary Grant for the part of General Allenby, but the director persuaded him to sign Jack Hawkins for the role. Sherif Ali was portrayed by Omar Sharif after the part was refused by Horst Buchholz and then Alain Delon. Some scenes had already been shot with Edmond O'Brien as Jackson Bentley when he became ill and had to leave. Arthur Kennedy was then offered the role of the American reporter. However, Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, and Jose Ferrer were not among the second choices.
Several additional characters were also based on real people. General Murray, Prince Faisal, Auda abu Tayi, and General Allenby all played a part in Lawrence's life. His servants, Farraj and Daud, and Talal, who committed a suicidal charge at Tafas, were real. So was Gasim, who was first rescued and then executed by Lawrence.
Many characters were drawn from several different people. Sherif Ali was fictional but believed to be largely based on a cousin of Prince Faisal. Colonel Stewart Newcombe seems to be the inspiration for Colonel Brighton. Lowell Thomas obviously served as the model for Jackson Bentley, the American newsman.
Like most films that are based on historical facts, the film takes some liberties with the truth. For example, the Arab Council was far more powerful than the movie indicated. The desertion of the Arab army was a work of fiction. Other facts, such as the reporter's statement in late 1917 that America was not yet in the war, warped the timeline a bit.
Lawrence's brother and reporter Lowell Thomas have both been critical of the way the movie portrayed Lawrence. Debate has ensued among some as to whether Lawrence was homosexual, egotistical, or masochistic. Such arguments, however, had not led to a decline in the film's popularity.
There have been several versions of Lawrence of Arabia since 1962. The original theatrical release was 222 minutes without the intermission, exit music, and overture. Next, twenty minutes were cut. In the seventies, there was a version that ran just a little over three hours. Finally, in 1989, there was a 216 minute version released. - 39815
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