An Epic of Epic Proportions

Rating: Null/10 (11 October 2013)

One of the grandest epics ever produced on film celluloid, Lawrence of Arabia isn't just a film but a journey of a man's life & his love for a nation, and even with its nearly 4 hours of runtime, it manages to keep the viewers completely glued to their seats, thanks to the sheer magic of David Lean's stellar direction, breathtaking photography, stunning production design, spectacular score & Peter O'Toole's dominating performance.
Set during the First World War, Lawrence of Arabia follows the life of a controversial British figure named T. E. Lawrence and covers his experiences in the Arab Peninsula where he was sent to investigate the progress of Arab revolt against the Turks & later leads them in winning their cause. The film opens with Lawrence's death in a motorcycle accident & then recount his adventures in flashbacks, as well as his inner conflicts with where his loyalties truly belong.
Impressively directed by David Lean, this was one of the most ambitious projects of its time & the seamless manner in which Lean is able to keep it all intact despite its grandeur size is worthy of praise. The screenplay keeps its focus on Lawrence almost all the time & even the whole narrative is presented from his point of view. But where the film truly leaves an indelible mark in the annals of cinema is in its visual presentation.
Be it the vast deserts, seas or landscapes, rising of the sun or calmness of the night, the camera-work is absolutely spellbinding for the captured images are sharp, meticulously detailed & have a remarkable level of clarity to it. The first half of the film is as flawless as its photography but the second half does stumble in its pacing which is my only complaint from this feature. And Maurice Jarre's legendary score is as epic as the film itself.
Coming to the performances, Lawrence of Arabia is Peter O'Toole's show all the way for the actor brought T. E. Lawrence to life with sublime finesse and his work in this feature isn't just the best of his career but also deserves to be placed amongst cinema's finest performances. And even though O'Toole somehow overshadows the rest of the performances, Alec Guinness portrayal of Prince Faisal does manage to stand out.
On an overall scale, Lawrence of Arabia is a historic tale of one man's struggle to bring freedom to the country he has fall head over heels in love with, and is aesthetically pleasing, artistically sublime & isn't devoid of any entertainment factor either. Undoubtedly one of the most influential films ever made & widely counted amongst the greatest films of all time, Lawrence of Arabia is an epic of epic proportions & comes highly recommended.