Acclaimed epic about British war hero TE Lawrence's life during the World War I Middle East campaign and failure to re-adapt to life...
Certificate
Duration222 mins
Review by
An epic that is nearly 4 hours long but still leaves you wanting more. David Lean's vivid depiction of T.E. Lawrence, a controversial military figure, is fascinating from start to finish. The unforgettable score and desert landscape transport you on a journey through Arabia in the volatile period where Turks threaten divided tribes. The transition from Lawrence blowing out a match to the dreamlike sunset is clearly the mark of great filmmaker, and with this transition like Lawrence, you are thrown into a world that is like no other. Each actor is encapsulating, and Alec Guinness, an icon of any movie lover, portrays Prince Feisal. How a white British man can portray so realistically an Arab prince is bemusing. Undoubtedly, this is a film worthy of its seven oscars, as David Lean's intuitive composition and wondrous use of vibrant colours create something that exceeds all expectations. This is not a normal biopic that is pathetically sympathetic and merely creates a grand, complimentary image of some famous figure, but rather an encapsulating depiction of a man that does have flaws: He enjoys murder, is socially awkward and insane but... irrefutably impressive.