Film: Lawrence of Arabia
Director: David Lean
Country: UK
Released: December 1962
Runtime: 210 minutes
Genre: Epic
Studio: Horizon Pictures
Influenced: Spielberg, George Lucas, Ridley Scott, Anthony Mingella, Christopher Nolan, Edward Zwick
Inspired by the real-life exploits of T. E. Lawrence, a British officer who became involved in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI, David Lean's epic movie Lawrence of Arabia was based on Lawrence's own memoir, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, with an adapted screenplay written by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Since the early silent cinema days, epic films had fallen out of fashion but the success of William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959) had helped to engineer a revival, and the epic scope, stunning cinematography and powerful performances of Lawrence of Arabia ensured the film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for David Lean and Best Actor for Peter O'Toole.
Lean shot the film on location in Jordan and Morocco, and the vast desert landscapes were captured beautifully by cinematographer Freddie Young. Lean commissioned the 450mm T8 lens from Panavision specifically for the five iconic "mirage" shots of Omar Sharif emerging from the desert that were captured by Young, and no such lens has ever been used in another movie since. The film's wide shots and use of natural lighting were groundbreaking at the time and helped to create a sense of epic scale and grandeur. At the time of its release, few films had attempted to tackle such a sweeping historical narrative, making Lawrence of Arabia a bold and ambitious undertaking.
Rather than presenting Lawrence as a traditional hero, the film depicts him as a conflicted and often troubled individual, struggling with his own identity and the brutality of war. This nuanced approach to characterisation was rare in films of the time and helped to elevate Lawrence of Arabia to a new level of artistic achievement, thanks in no small part to the fine performance of O'Toole. Also innovative was the film's sound design, including the use of ambient sounds and music. Lawrence of Arabia was one of the first films to use multitrack sound, allowing for greater control over the audio during editing. The film's score, composed by Maurice Jarre (father of Jean-Michel Jarre), was likewise groundbreaking and has become iconic in its own right.
Lean took the bold decision to begin the film with Lawrence's death in a motorcycle accident and then flash back to his experiences in the Arabian Peninsula. Lawrence is sent there to assess the progress of the Arab revolt and to advise the Arab leader Prince Faisal, played by Alec Guinness. Lawrence becomes fascinated by Arab culture and soon becomes deeply involved in the revolt, leading a small group of Arab fighters against the Turkish army. Lawrence's actions in the film are often driven by a desire to prove his own worth and to find meaning in his life. He is conflicted by his own identity, as a British officer in a war against the Ottoman Empire, but also as a supporter of Arab nationalism and their independence.
As the Arab forces gain momentum, Lawrence becomes increasingly respected and admired by the Arab people, but his own mental state begins to deteriorate as he struggles with the violence and brutality of war. In the film's climactic battle, Lawrence and the Arab forces capture the city of Aqaba, a victory that helps to turn the tide of the war. The film's epic themes of cultural identity, nationalism and the role of the individual in history continue to resonate with audiences today. One of my all-time favourite cinema experiences was watching Lawrence of Arabia at the Castro Theater in San Francisco in 2006 in gorgeous widescreen, an experience enhanced by the Wurlitzer organ and pianist who would emerge from the stage at various points during the film to provide the epic musical accompaniment.
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