Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) Dir: David Lean
Instagram post:
David Lean's 1962 epic is considered to be one of the best pieces of classic cinema ever. It follows British soldier and diplomat T.E. Lawrence's journey through Arabia during the first World War - a journey in which he famously fought alongside Arabian guerilla forces during the Arab revolt against the Ottomans. I was a little intimidated by the near four hour runtime, but at least I dove in to a film I hoped would be more than worth it.
The film features one of the most memorable and recognisable main themes in Hollywood, which has been referenced and used time and time again since, especially when would-be adventurers explore deserts or Arabian settlements. It is safe to say, therefore, that the music is pretty iconic and influential.
The cinematography was, at times, incredibly majestic. There are some genuinely magnificent shots, especially in the desert, which is not easy to do. The use of heat mirages was superb. I think that Lean and cinematographer Freddie Young did a spectacular job of creating the feeling of scale in the desert environment.
Though the pacing of the film wasn't bad, I was relieved by the inclusion of the intermission, if only because of the sheer length of the film. Its a point of contention today, but I personally am in agreement with those who want to seea return to the inclusion of intermissions in films. It makes watching a three-hour-plus epic less of a slog.
The narrative is more fact than fiction, in regards to the true history of Lawrence's escapades in Arabia, but what I really enjoyed was the way in which the story depicts Lawrence's attitude towards his actions. A lot of this has to do with the lead actor's performance, but the writing helps a lot. The way in which Lawrence is framed compared to his fellow British soldiers is particularly poignant.
As I've just illuded to, the acting of Peter O'Toole, who portrayed Lawrence, was immense. The way he switches up his acting, from cheery British soldier to traumatised and conflicted leader is so nuanced and so powerful. His emotions are palpable, particularly the way he depicts his anguish.
Alec Guinness, yes that's the original Obi-Wan Kenobi, playing an Arabian prince is undeniably jarring to see, and a reminder of how far cinema has come, from a casting perspective. That said, for what it's worth, Guinness did not make a mockery of his character, and seemed to earnestly want to show the majesty and presence of the man he was portraying.
There were a number of strong performances by members of the supporting cast, but my personal favourite was produced by Omar Sharif, who cultivated a character with more depth to him than initially meets the eye. The way Sharif shows this, particularly in the second half of the film, is terrific.
There are other strong supporting performances from the likes of Anthony Quinn - also a little jarring, Jack Hawkins, José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle and Claude Rains. Though some of them only appear briefly, they all left a fairly large impact on the screen.
Overall, this was certainly an epic, at least in length and scale. No war film is truly anti-war, but this one does a very effective job of highlighting the impact it can have on a man's psyche. It is certainly a very good film, but I wouldn't personally rank it among the best films ever. That said, I can see why it has been so influential and impactful on previous generations.
Comments