Lawrence of Arabia Review: David Lean's Desert Epic
9.5/10 — Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Pros
- Breathtaking desert photography
- Peter O'Toole's performance
- Jarre's thrilling score
Cons
- Very long
- Western actors playing Arab roles
British officer T.E. Lawrence, played by Peter O’Toole, unites Arab tribes against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, and is changed by the experience. David Lean shot it on 70mm across Jordan, Morocco and Spain.
What works
The desert photography is astonishing, none more than the mirage scene in which Omar Sharif appears as a dot on the horizon. O’Toole is charismatic and complex, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn are superb, and Maurice Jarre’s score is rousing.
Where it falters
At nearly four hours, it’s a major commitment, and Lawrence’s real story is more complicated than the film suggests. Its Arab characters are played by Western actors.
Verdict
A dazzling, intelligent epic, best seen on the largest screen you can find.
