Lawrence of Arabia - *****

Lawrence of Arabia * * * * *

Adventure. Columbia. 1962.
D: David Lean.
P: Sam Spiegel.

“A flamboyant and controversial British military figure and his conflicted loyalties during wartime service”.

Complex, intimate epic, centered on an enigmatic, tortured historical figure -played unforgettably by Peter O’Toole in one of the best screen debuts-, a production of high difficulty achieved with surprising elan by its director and most of its film crew. Scores high as sheer spectacle and psychological character study, and the desert has probably never been filmed better. One of the boldest, best films ever.

Significant production contribution: Direction, Production, Cinematography (Freddie Young); Acting (Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn); Music (Maurice Jarre); Screenplay (Robert Bolt), Editing (Anne V. Coates); Art direction (John Box)