Movie Monday Review: Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence meets the Sherif Ali

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Starring: Peter O’Toole, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Alec Guiness, and Jack Hawkins

Summary

Lawrence of Arabia is the biographical film, just over three hours, about T.E. Lawrence and his involvement in the Arab Revolt during the early 1900s. The film depicts the entrance and training of Lawrence (Peter O’Toole) as he is assigned by the British Army to go to the Arabian Desert and how he meets the central Arab leaders, Prince Faisal (Alex Guiness) and the Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif). We see how Lawrence is doggedly determined to go abroad, away from where he is currently assigned as a map artist. He shows a tenacity for the knowledge of the Arabian region and proves to his superiors that he’s needed there.

Before leaving for Arabia…

Finally, given permission to go, he shows an amazing ability to settle there. He is rugged and wants to live life like the natives, which creates a trust with them. Quickly making friends because of his willingness to live like them, he is able to help fight for their freedom from the Turks.

Lawrence with tribal leaders

Throwing his all into living there, he is constantly living a life of war and survival. He begins to have a mental battle between whether to let go of his Western views on life or to be willing to have the view of the Arabs, where life seemed cheaper. Wanting to make a difference, he continues to work with Sherif Ali, who doesn’t understand why Lawrence would come. But, recognizes that he is trying to be like the Arabs. Giving him the native clothing and a gear, they call him El Aurance and make him their own.

Lawrence with his “people”

Soon, however, the war and the hatred gets to him. In an attempt to infiltrate the Turks, Lawrence gets captured and tortured. He decides to give up everything that he had worked for to help the Arabs and instead decides to return to British territory. He is considered a hero to the British and everyone lifts him up on high pedestal, he tries to fit back in. Suffering mentally from what he has experienced, he struggles. His superior officer tells Lawrence he can’t give up, but must return. The Arabs trust him and he can do so much more for the effort. Lawrence insists that he can’t and doesn’t want to, that he’s dried up. Nevertheless, Lawrence is convinced to return, but he is angry. He realizes that Britain isn’t just trying to help the Arabs, but is actually trying to take possession of the land for themselves.

He returns and throws all reason to the winds. He completely wipes out a wounded Turkish group of soldiers, much to the angst of Sherif Ali who realizes that Lawrence has lost who he came to Arabia as.

Lawrence upon his return with Sherif Ali

Finally, helping the Arabs reach their goal of forcing the Turks out, Lawrence realizes that his efforts were somewhat futile. The different tribes refuse to work with each other and end up causing more turmoil. Lawrence leaves, believing he can do no more. Ali is heartbroken, but does not know what to do to change it.

Ali fears he’s losing a friend

Sadly, Lawrence returns to England, and unfortunately dies in an accident. Those at his funeral recall a man with passion who cared for the Arabs, but little more.

Been through everything…

Review

Lawrence of Arabia is an excellent movie. Beautiful views in the desert and amazing acting. The story of T.E. Lawrence is a sad one, showing an immense passion for a people and a land from a man who would end up getting completely defeated. Lawrence suffered from a form of PTSD and, at that time, didn’t know how to deal with it. Unfortunately, his superior officers didn’t know how to deal with it either and pushed him to the limit.

Lawrence in the desert

The emotion that comes out of both Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif as they portray their characters is amazing. They give you the idea of what was really going on then and how these people felt, the friendships they formed, and what war did to them. There were a lot of emotions running through them, for the Arabs as they were trying to form their own nation, and for Lawrence as he was trying to help do that.

Lawrence right before his death

A major point of the movie, is the differences in culture. Lawrence combats different viewpoints on life as he tries to become a part of the Arab world. The same for the Arabs, as Sherif Ali tries to understand what makes Lawrence tick.

Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole

A gorgeous soundtrack. The music takes you to the Arabian deserts and allows you to imagine what Lawrence was living.

Lawrence in war

Worth watching, but know that it does not have a happy ending. For people interested in history, it might encourage you to do more research on T.E. Lawrence. A truly incredible man, who lived an incredible life. If you can get ahold of his autobiography, do so, using this movie as the push to do so.

Ellen Nolan

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