How many of you have honestly sat through this film’s 216 minute running time? It’s one of those films whose imagery, story (and music) we all think we know. But without sitting down and spending the full time with it, front to back, you’ll miss how intimate this huge epic actually is. Director David Lean’s telling of T.E. Lawrence is absolutely fantastic filmmaking. The setting is vast, the story involving thousands of people and set-pieces, and yet Lean never loses the small details of the film. Unhurried reveals and moments are a luxury in such a long film, but Lean takes his time beautifully. It’s massive without losing its smallness, and without taking on an ounce of self-awareness or self-importance.
And look at what’s basically the full film debut of Peter O’Toole (the best damn Henry II ever)! His Lawrence is an imperfect hero, an egotist, a sadist, a masochist, a coward, a diplomat, a gladiator, a (controversially) possible homosexual. O’Toole handles it all with originality and vigor. Surrounded as well by a fantastic supporting cast, including Alec Guinness, Omar Sharif, and Anthony Quinn. This is filmmaking at its finest. This is one of those that make you honestly say, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.”
