Lawrence of Arabia (1888-1935) is a historical figure. A brilliant intelligence officer, a talented design engineer, and a gifted writer Thomas Edward Lawrence went down in the history of England as a hero of the First World War. The war gave him not only awards, but also a common noun - Lawrence of Arabia.
A unique film about an extraordinary man
An art painting of the same name, published in 1962, is based on the popular autobiographical book Uprising in the Desert. Lawrence of Arabia is a film in which there is no love line, there is not a single female role. It captures the viewer from the first shots of the requiem for Colonel Lawrence, who crashed on a motorcycle, to the last - his deep disappointment in British politics in the Middle East after the victory of the Arab uprising of 1916-1918, which destroyed the Ottoman Empire, one of the 4 Empires that disappeared in the result of World War I.
What can be said about the film, which became a complete triumph in the world of cinema in 1963, received 7 Oscars, 4 Golden Globes, 4 highest awards of the British Academy? You can only add that the film "Lawrence of Arabia" was included (and took third place there) in the 100 best feature films of Britain and in the top list of "100 best world films."
English Colonel in the Arabian Desert
The film tells about the role of an English intelligence agent in uniting disparate Arab tribes in order to overthrow the Ottoman yoke. Knowledge of the Middle East, its languages, customs and manners, deep love for him allowed the English intelligence officer to become a national hero not only in his homeland, but also in several
Arab countries. Lawrence entered the head of the Liberation Army in Damascus and deservedly received his new name - Lawrence of Arabia.
The film was directed by David Lean, who by that time already had Oscars and Golden Globes and was the author of several feature films that brought him world fame.
It has been written more than once that the brilliant play of the actor Peter O'Toole (1932-2013), who played the legendary scout, contributed to the glory of the film. During his long creative life, the actor has repeatedly received all the awards in the field of cinema. Only the Oscar in 9 nominations received once. However, the glory that the role of Lawrence brought him can only be compared with the glory of the role of Henry II Plantagenet.
His film partners were the great and recognized stars of English cinema Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins, as well as Anthony Quinn, who by that time had played the role of Quasimodo in the star adaptation of the work of V. Hugo. The role of Sheriff Ali deserves a special discussion, which went to the unknown Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, who was invited solely because of his beauty. And the film became a launching pad for him. There are not many world "stars" of such a level as Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif.
A film about love, but without love
The film itself is beautiful, shot very talentedly. But there are frames in it that are remembered forever. At the moment when the emaciated Lawrence, having lost his faithful companion (he was absorbed by
quicksands before the hero’s eyes
) gets to the
Suez Canal. And it seems that the sea liner is rushing through the desert. The strait is very narrow, it is not visible due to the dunes. Or the moment when a dawn flashes on the horizon, the hero of O'Toole blows out a match.
The storyline is divided into two parts. The first tells of the capture of Akaba by Lawrence, who, using all his talent as a diplomat and negotiator, is seeking the consent of one of the Arab tribal leaders to seize the port from the desert of Nefood. Thanks to complete surprise, the operation was a success. And Peter O'Toole almost lost his life, he was thrown by a frightened camel. The second part is devoted to the Arab rebellion and the role of the English intelligence agent in it.
The film "Lawrence of Arabia" (the torrent makes it possible to download it for free) is also interesting because interest in it does not subside, and it has been in constant demand from the moment it was released in 1962 to the present day. You can learn all about the film and watch it using the torrent - a service for exchanging information on the network.
The extraordinary popularity of this epic drama and its hero pushes filmmakers to create a sequel. The most successful attempt can be considered an English television film with Rife Fiennes in the role of Colonel Lawrence.