Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic biographical adventure drama film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and his 1926 book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The film was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel, through his British company Horizon Pictures and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film stars Peter O'Toole as Lawrence with Alec Guinness playing Prince Faisal. It also has Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, and Arthur Kennedy.
The film tells the story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse Arab tribes during World War I in their fight against the Ottoman Turks. The film opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident, and a reporter's questions about Lawrence's life and achievements. The movie is known for its ravishing desert vistas, and it was shot on location in Jordan, Spain, and Morocco.
Lawrence of Arabia was one of the most celebrated epics in the history of cinema and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film was re-released theatrically in 2002 to celebrate the film's fortieth anniversary, and a restored director's cut was released in 1989. The film is considered a masterpiece and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Plot
The film is considered an epic adventure film, telling the story of a heroic individual, the British intelligence officer T.E. Lawrence, and his emotional struggles with the violence inherent in war, his identity, and his divided allegiance between his native Britain with her army, and his new-found comrades within the Arabian desert tribes.
The film opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident, and a reporter's questions about Lawrence's life and achievements. In 1916, well-educated Lt. Lawrence was working as a cartographer for the British army in Cairo, but he felt out of place and longed to get into the desert. His chance comes when Mr. Dryden, of the Arab Bureau, arranges for him to be seconded to make contact with Prince Feisal and report on the progress of the Arab Revolt against the Turks.
Lawrence takes a Bedouin guide, whose desert survival tricks he determines to emulate. The guide is shot dead at a well by Sherif Ali, an Arab from a rival tribe. After a bitter altercation with Ali, Lawrence travels on alone and meets with Colonel Brighton, who takes him to Feisal's army, which is under air bombardment from the Turks. Lawrence encounters Auda Abu Tayi, the head of another Arab tribe, and persuades him to join forces for the attack on Aqaba.
Trailer
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Cast
Main Cast:
- Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence
- Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal
- Anthony Quinn as Auda abu Tayi
- Jack Hawkins as General Edmund Allenby
- Omar Sharif as Sherif Ali
- José Ferrer as the Turkish Bey
- Anthony Quayle as Colonel Harry Brighton
Supporting Cast:
- Claude Rains as Mr. Dryden
- Arthur Kennedy as Jackson Bentley
- Zia Moyeddin as Gasim
- Michel Ray as Farraj
- I.S. Johar as Sherif Bu Nasir
- John Doucette as Major Howard
- Howard Marion-Crawford as Brother Clement
- Guy Rolfe as General Murray
- Kenneth Griffith as the Staff Officer
- Harry Andrews as Turkish Officer
- Wadih Raad as Daud
- Ali Yusuf Dean as Sherif's Aide
- John Boddington as Colonel Lawrence
- Henry Brandon as The Emir
- Gino Cervi as Turkish Captain
- Bruno Cremer as French Officer
- Mahmoud Yassine as Egyptian Officer
- Peter O'Toole (voice) as The Narrator
Other cast members include various extras and uncredited roles. The film was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiege.
Original Language: English
Director: David Lean
Producer: Robert A. Harris, Sam Spiegel
Writer: Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson
Box Office Gross: $45,720,631
Distributor: Columbia Tristar, RCA Home Video, Criterion Collection, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Adventure
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1962
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2013
