In 1962, Lawrence of Arabia was released to overwhelming praise. This film portrayed the World War I experiences of British officer T. E. Lawrence during his time with the Arab Rebellion. The movie won 7 Oscars, including Best Director, Best Picture, Best Score, and Best Cinematography. It is considered by many to be one of the greatest movies of all time.
The movie opens with Lawrence's death in 1935. He was killed in a motorcycle accident when he tried to avert a collision with bicyclists. Reporters try to paint a picture of him, but fail. The action shifts to World War I Cairo and Lieutenant Lawrence. He is dispatched to prepare a report on Prince Faisal's rebellion against the Turks. He persuades Faisal to attack the city of Aqaba, and quickly finds himself embroiled in the rebellion. Over the next few years, he will often find his loyalties divided. He also discovers some unsettling truths about himself along the way.
Few members of the cast were the first choices for the parts. The title character was played by Peter O'Toole, although he got the part only after Albert Finney and Marlon Brando turned it down. The role of Prince Faisal went to Alec Guinness after Laurence Olivier had to drop out. Producer Sam Spiegel wanted Cary Grant to portray General Allenby, but director David Lean convinced him to offer the part to Jack Hawkins. Horst Buchholz and Alain Delon were both offered the role of Sherif Ali, which eventually went to Omar Sharif. Reporter Jackson Bentley was played by Arthur Kennedy, who stepped in after Edmond O'Brien became ill and had to leave the picture. However, Anthony Quinn, who played Auda abu Tayi, and Jose Ferrer, who was cast as the Turkish Bey, were not second choices. Neither was Claude Rains, who portrayed Mr. Dryden; Rains was one of Lean's favorite actors.
Several additional characters were also based on real people. General Murray, Prince Faisal, Auda abu Tayi, and General Allenby all played a part in Lawrence's life. His servants, Farraj and Daud, and Talal, who committed a suicidal charge at Tafas, were real. So was Gasim, who was first rescued and then executed by Lawrence.
Many characters were drawn from several different people. Sherif Ali was fictional but believed to be largely based on a cousin of Prince Faisal. Colonel Stewart Newcombe seems to be the inspiration for Colonel Brighton. Lowell Thomas obviously served as the model for Jackson Bentley, the American newsman.
Like most films that are based on historical facts, the film takes some liberties with the truth. For example, the Arab Council was far more powerful than the movie indicated. The desertion of the Arab army was a work of fiction. Other facts, such as the reporter's statement in late 1917 that America was not yet in the war, warped the timeline a bit.
How accurately the film reflects the character of T. E. Lawrence has been debated since the film was released. Some hold the position that he was an egotist, while others state that the facts do not bear this out. Others debate whether Lawrence was a masochist and whether he was asexual or homosexual. Two of the most vocal critics have been Lawrence's brother and reporter Lowell Thomas. The arguments, however, have failed to detract from the film's popularity.
There have been several versions of Lawrence of Arabia since 1962. The original theatrical release was 222 minutes without the intermission, exit music, and overture. Next, twenty minutes were cut. In the seventies, there was a version that ran just a little over three hours. Finally, in 1989, there was a 216 minute version released.
The movie opens with Lawrence's death in 1935. He was killed in a motorcycle accident when he tried to avert a collision with bicyclists. Reporters try to paint a picture of him, but fail. The action shifts to World War I Cairo and Lieutenant Lawrence. He is dispatched to prepare a report on Prince Faisal's rebellion against the Turks. He persuades Faisal to attack the city of Aqaba, and quickly finds himself embroiled in the rebellion. Over the next few years, he will often find his loyalties divided. He also discovers some unsettling truths about himself along the way.
Few members of the cast were the first choices for the parts. The title character was played by Peter O'Toole, although he got the part only after Albert Finney and Marlon Brando turned it down. The role of Prince Faisal went to Alec Guinness after Laurence Olivier had to drop out. Producer Sam Spiegel wanted Cary Grant to portray General Allenby, but director David Lean convinced him to offer the part to Jack Hawkins. Horst Buchholz and Alain Delon were both offered the role of Sherif Ali, which eventually went to Omar Sharif. Reporter Jackson Bentley was played by Arthur Kennedy, who stepped in after Edmond O'Brien became ill and had to leave the picture. However, Anthony Quinn, who played Auda abu Tayi, and Jose Ferrer, who was cast as the Turkish Bey, were not second choices. Neither was Claude Rains, who portrayed Mr. Dryden; Rains was one of Lean's favorite actors.
Several additional characters were also based on real people. General Murray, Prince Faisal, Auda abu Tayi, and General Allenby all played a part in Lawrence's life. His servants, Farraj and Daud, and Talal, who committed a suicidal charge at Tafas, were real. So was Gasim, who was first rescued and then executed by Lawrence.
Many characters were drawn from several different people. Sherif Ali was fictional but believed to be largely based on a cousin of Prince Faisal. Colonel Stewart Newcombe seems to be the inspiration for Colonel Brighton. Lowell Thomas obviously served as the model for Jackson Bentley, the American newsman.
Like most films that are based on historical facts, the film takes some liberties with the truth. For example, the Arab Council was far more powerful than the movie indicated. The desertion of the Arab army was a work of fiction. Other facts, such as the reporter's statement in late 1917 that America was not yet in the war, warped the timeline a bit.
How accurately the film reflects the character of T. E. Lawrence has been debated since the film was released. Some hold the position that he was an egotist, while others state that the facts do not bear this out. Others debate whether Lawrence was a masochist and whether he was asexual or homosexual. Two of the most vocal critics have been Lawrence's brother and reporter Lowell Thomas. The arguments, however, have failed to detract from the film's popularity.
There have been several versions of Lawrence of Arabia since 1962. The original theatrical release was 222 minutes without the intermission, exit music, and overture. Next, twenty minutes were cut. In the seventies, there was a version that ran just a little over three hours. Finally, in 1989, there was a 216 minute version released.
About the Author:
They develop an unlikely friendship when the language barrier, Japanese culture and their own discontent surfaces. movie grandbury tx So multiply all the triad chords by 3, and all the 4 note chords by 4, and all the 5 note chords by 5 This is just not reality, but then again, maybe that is the reason people are caught up in their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment