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Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

8.4
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Ratings: 8.4/10 from 119,501 users   Metascore: 100/100
Reviews: 485 user | 158 critic | 7 from Metacritic.com

A flamboyant and controversial British military figure and his conflicted loyalties during his World War I service in Arabia.

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(writings), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

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Top 250 #69 | Won 7 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Turkish Bey (as Jose Ferrer)
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I.S. Johar ...
Gamil Ratib ...
Michel Ray ...
John Dimech ...
Zia Mohyeddin ...
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Storyline

An inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name. The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in Dorset at the age of 46, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire. Written by alfiehitchie

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

desert | army | turk | arab | flashback | See more »

Taglines:

BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR WINNER OF 7 ACADEMY AWARDS (post-Oscar) See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

| |

Release Date:

30 January 1963 (Canada)  »

Also Known As:

Lawrence de Arabia  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$32,930 (USA) (4 October 2002)

Gross:

$342,481 (USA) (25 October 2002)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut) | (1970 re-release) | (original) | (premiere) | (restored roadshow)

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound Recording) (70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints) (original version)| (magnetic prints) (35 mm) (original version)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

General Allenby's Jersualem headquarters was filmed at the Moorish mansion, Casa de Pilatos, in Seville. While setting up there, the lighting crew accidentally smashed a centuries old statue. Fortunately, the authorities were appeased and filming was allowed to continue. See more »

Goofs

When Gasim is walking through the sun's anvil after falling off his camel, he begins to shed various items. During a reverse tracking shot, the dolly tracks are clearly visible in the sand. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Colonel Brighton: He was the most extraordinary man I ever knew.
Vicar at St. Paul's: Did you know him well?
Colonel Brighton: I knew him.
Vicar at St. Paul's: Well nil nisi bonum. But did he really deserve a place here?
See more »

Crazy Credits

The opening credits read: Introducing Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence. However, O'Toole had already played very noticeable roles in two feature-length films, the Disney 1960 version of Kidnapped, and The Day They Robbed the Bank of England. See more »

Connections

Featured in Lawrence of Arabia: A Conversation with Steven Spielberg (2000)
clips shown See more »

Soundtracks

"The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo"
(1892) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Fred Gilbert
Sung a cappella by Peter O'Toole
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Review-proof
23 December 2004 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I first saw this movie on a scratchy VHS almost twenty years ago (I was 10). Liked it (sort of-enjoyed the battle scenes and the train blowing up), but didn't understand why my dad was so crazy about it.

The next time was on laserdisc (remember those?) almost 10 years ago and I was hooked. I finally got it - the conflict, the performances, the music, the dialogue - all mesmerising.

But it was only in 2002, when I saw the 40th-anniversary reissue on 70mm that I was completely blown away seeing the scale, the enormity of Lean's accomplishment. There were scenes that gave me goosepimples (the opening credits, the cut from the matchstick to the desert sunrise, "nothing is written" - others too numerous to mention).

The point of this rather rambling review is this - a movie that can evoke such passion in its admirers stands by itself, beyond reviews or criticism. If you haven't seen it yet I envy you, because you get to experience it for the first time.


177 of 226 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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