
Marty and Cindy take on a classic that Cindy hadn’t seen before, Lawrence of Arabia
Title: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Director: David Lean
Writers: Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson
Stars: Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Jack Hawkins, José Ferrer, Claude Rains
Studio: Horizon Pictures / Columbia Pictures
Runtime: 222 minutes (original) | 216 minutes (restored)
Format: Super Panavision 70 | Technicolor
Filming Locations: Jordan, Morocco, Spain
Why This Film Matters
· A cornerstone of epic filmmaking—winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
· Revolutionized widescreen cinematography; Freddie Young’s desert imagery remains unmatched.
· Peter O’Toole’s debut transformed him into an international star and redefined screen charisma.
· Maurice Jarre’s sweeping score became one of the most recognizable in movie history.
· Critically reassessed as both a spectacle and an introspective psychological study.
· The 1988 restoration pioneered modern film-preservation efforts and revived Lean’s full vision.
Signature Sequences
· The Match Cut: From a tiny flame to the blazing desert sunrise—one of the most famous edits in film history.
· The Mirage Scene: Omar Sharif’s arrival, emerging from heat shimmer, remains a visual tour de force in long-lens cinematography.
· Aqaba Assault: Filmed with hundreds of extras and horses, it’s a ballet of movement and chaos captured in sweeping long shots.
· “Nothing Is Written” Scene: Lawrence’s defiance against fate—one of O’Toole’s defining moments.
· The Retreat from Deraa: Lawrence’s capture and implied assault by the Turkish Bey mark a disturbing psychological turning point.
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