Wednesday, January 30, 2013

From David Lean's 1962 epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Peter O'Toole and Omad Sharif


Movies have always been my escape. When things have been at the worse, I have disappeared into a darkened theater, Twizzlers in hand, and forgotten about my troubles for a while. Maybe not the most psychologically sound or mature response to a situation, but its always worked for me. 
A little escape never hurt anyone.
I'm watching David Lean's masterpiece (and marathon event at over three hours) Lawrence of Arabia, an epic based on the life of T.E. Lawrence. The film tells the story of Lawrence's adventures in Arabia during WWI.
The film boasts and amazing casts including Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer, Alec Guiness (none other than Obi Wan Kenobi!) and Jack Hawkins, who would both appeared together earlier in Lean's 1957 Bridge Over The River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia would later go on to win many awards, including seven Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for Sharif and Best Actor for O'Toole, who was a virtual unknown when chosen to play the role of the titular title character. 
The musical score by Maurice Jarre is nothing less than brilliant and would garner Jarre his first Oscar.
Lean is an influential director and LOA is considered to be one of the best films ever made. And notice I said film and not movie. There is a difference. Lawrence of Arabia is a film. Caddyshack is a movie. 
The acting is amazing. 
The direction is undeniably masterful. 

I'm sitting here in awe of the film-making and...Man! Am I thirsty! 
I bet the concession stands were out the lobby doors. 
Sure there have been movies about the dessert before. The original Flight of the Phoenix with Jimmy Stewart is one. There's something about the cinematography of Lawrence of Arabia, though, that pulls you in through the lens...you can almost feel the churning sands at your feet and whipping into your face. 

It's a classic. Watch it. Just have a cold beverage on hand. 


and that's 'Jody' with a 'y'
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