Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Easter always feels like the time of year for epic films. Be it Biblical epics or in my case the near four hour classic by David Lean, Lawrence of Arabia.
Peter O' Toole gives a flamboyant performance as T.E. Lawrence, one of Britain's more enigmatic heroes - archeologist, army officer, diplomat and renowned author, and as this film depicts instigator of the Arab revolt against the Turks in 1916-18 in which he united warring tribes to defeat the Ottoman Empire.
O'Toole's Lawrence is funny and insolent to his superior officers and truly doesn't give a shit about anything, especially himself, with some courageous acts of bravery / stupidity.
Lean's film is epic by name and epic by nature, taking almost two years to shoot in Saudi Arabia, Spain and England it's a stunningly shot masterpiece of desert photography with what can only be described as awesome imagery such as the introduction of new star Omar Sharif via a mirage in long shot. It should also be added that Lean can frame a sunset like no other. This film was made for HD and it looks gob smacking on Blu-ray.
Winning seven Oscars including best film and best director (I was wondering how O'Toole failed to grab the acting award then saw he was up against Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird) Lawrence of Arabia is one of those genuinely timeless monuments in cinema history and the only thing preventing it having regular viewings is that bloomin' 3hr 50 min running time.
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