The Epic Cinema at age 10

Rating: 10/10 (20 March 1999)

My first large screen experience was Lawrence of Arabia. At the age of 10 in the largest cinema in Detroit I sat in awe as the opening motorcycle scene left this young man dead. This I could understand and relate to. The desert, the Arab culture and the prejudice of the English I could understand. The politics eluded me, but the majesty and the splendor of the presentation had me hooked! Many more cinematic escapades I pursued: when they re-vitalized (restoral it wasn't) Gone with the Wind and brought it out in 70mm for the first time, the first cinerama I saw was How the West was Won and then 2001. But when they restored Lawrence, I went back and I understood it all. The same goosebumps and cinema thrills of a 10 year old with the experience of adulthood brought the struggle and the commitment of Lawrence and his Arab bretheren to the forefront. This was a documentary, perhaps innaccurate, but It in essence is a true story of an English gentleman giving up a life of luxury to free "his" people. The dramatic license is used judiciously, with flair, and in the seductive setting that helped form the man, so be it. In all the purpose of film is to escape and find yourself involved and intrigued. Enjoyment is the name of the film game. With the memories of childhood and the wisdom of age, the Lawrence epic is one of the greatest movies on record, worthy of a top ten. I own many a disc, in Laser and now DVD, my first purchase was Lawrence.