Don Guerriero

David Lean’s making and directing of Lawrence of Arabia is, in a manner of speaking ... a love story. With T.E.Lawrence as the object of director Lean’s affections. Thomas Edward Lawerence was a genuine, authentic war hero, a legend of his time. An Idealist, a humanitarian, and at the same time a rabid chaser of his own legend in the making. That Lean and Peter OToole, himself Just 26yrs. old, both wholly committed to a patient, lengthy portrayal of Lawrence’s idealism, chivalry, and his actions while evolving into a leader of the Arab revolt against the Turks before and during WWI, Was a film making risk. Such devotion took time. At3 hrs. 40 mins.long. It is Dangerously long. Suicidally so, were it not for the spectacular Acting and screen presence of OToole as Lawrence, and of Omar Shariff’s support role as Lawrence’s main Arab supporter - Sharif Ali...Leader of one of the Arab tribes Lawrence worked to make into cohesive fighters. And the cinematography Of the desert, and desert nights that is breathtakingly, hauntingly beautiful throughout the film. A critical mass “must” always in a film masterpiece is that it be extremely well cast. This is the case with Lawrence of Arabia. One Demi exception is Anthony Quinn, who remains Anthony Quinn In spite of the heavily applied make up. That OToole did not win a best actor Oscar is arguably the worst Academy oversight in the history of awarding Oscars. 60+ years after it was made, Lawrence of Arabia occupies a listing within the top 7 of the greatest films ever made. It deserves its listing.