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On June 16, 2020, Columbia Pictures released Volume 1 of their series Columbia Classics on 4K, which includes six films: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Strangelove, Gandhi, A League of Their Own, and Jerry Maguire. I am reviewing them one at a time for expediency. The second one is . . .

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Specifications
Lawrence of Arabia cover

Rating

Entertainment:
Video: The movie is worth watching just for the photography.
Audio: Remastered with modern surround formats such as Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and Dolby Atmos.
Extras: There are some missing features. A replacement disc will be sent to all who purchase the set.

Violence: Yes
Sex: No
Language: Mild
MSRP: $164.99 – Amazon $109.99

Runtime: 3 hr 48 min (228 min)
Rated: PG
Budget: $15,000,000
Cumulative Worldwide Gross: $70,000,000
Sound Mix: Six Track
B&W/Color: Color
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Camera: Mitchell 65 mm Camera, Panavision Super Panavision 70 Lenses
Laboratory: Technicolor, Hollywood (CA), USA (color)
Negative Format: 70 mm
Cinematographic Process: 70 mm Flat, 4K Digital Intermediate (2020)
Printed Film Format: 70 mm, 35 mm
Original Release Date: December 16, 1962 (USA) – 4K UHD: 2020
Director: David Lean
Starring: Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, Claude Rains
Production Company: Columbia Pictures

Lawrence of Arabia, released in 1962, is a fabulous movie. I remember seeing it almost 60 years ago.

It was shot in 70 mm and is finally available in 4K. Fortunately, the Digital Intermediate is 4K, so the 4K disc is glorious.

Nominated for ten Academy Awards, it won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Score.

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The story is true and is about T.E. Lawrence, a Lt. in the British Army, who is sent to Arabia in 1916 as a British Liaison to unite the numerous tribes in their battle against Turkey during WWI. Turkey was an ally of Germany.

He meets with Arab Prince Faisal (Guinness) and suggests that they fight using British methods, but ends up working with them to fight using Arab warrior tactics.

Although Peter O’Toole is the headline star, the others are all headline stars in their own right.

Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia film

Lawrence of Arabia movie

This screenshot (below) illustrates Lawrence in the desert, looking at himself in a reflection from a knife. Peter O’Toole did it on the spur of the moment, not in the script. The director, David Lean, said, “Clever fellow,” and the shot stayed in the final release.

Lawrence of Arabia screenshot
Anthony Quinn as Auda Abu Tayi.

Lawrence of Arabia screengrab
Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal.

Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal

A lot of extras that would not be in a budget for a movie shot in 2020. It is hard to believe this film had a budget of $15,000,000. Today, it would cost $300,000,000 easily.

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The movie is a masterpiece in all aspects.

Lawrence of Arabia Horse scene

Click below to see reviews of other movies in this set of six:
A League of Their Own