Feast your eyes on this!

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2008)

"Lawrence of Arabia" is a film that is commonly ranked among the best of all time. Epic in scale, masterful in execution, it is the sort of film that transcends entertainment and enters the realm of art.
The most striking part of the film is the visual aspect. The sweeping desert vistas are breathtaking but it is the technical expertise that elevates the visuals to another level entirely. If there is a single fault with the direction, cinematography or editing I didn't see it.
The film also boasts an instantly memorable score by Maurice Jarre, justifiably lauded as one of the best of all film scores. It would be difficult to imagine a piece of music that could match the stellar visuals but this is it.
Peter O'Toole is excellent as the title character and the supporting cast is also quite solid. Particularly good is Omar Sharif, who received an Oscar nomination for his efforts. Jack Hawkins and Anthony Quinn also deliver fine performances.
I have to admit, though, that the first time I watched this movie I wasn't particularly keen on the story. However, on a second viewing the script revealed itself to be a complex portrait of an enigmatic figure. While there are unanswered questions these merely add to the richness of the film.
In conclusion, this is the very definition of a 'must see' film. "Lawrence of Arabia" is just as impressive today as it was fifty years ago.