Lawrence of Arabia, the 1962 epic biographical war drama hailed as the 'greatest film of all time' and a 'cinematic masterpiece', is airing on BBC Two today, September 12, at 1.30pm. The film, which has enamoured audiences for over 60 years, stars Peter O'Toole in the titular role of Thomas Edward Lawrence, the British Army officer known for his legendary war activities in the Middle East during World War I.
A stellar cast and celebrated crew
Directed by David Lean with a screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson, the film is based on TE Lawrence's 1926 autobiography Seven Pillars of Wisdom, also known as Revolt in the Desert. O'Toole is joined by Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer and Arthur Kennedy in a stellar cast.
The official plot states: “The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.”
Awards and box office success
Lawrence of Arabia was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction – Color, Best Cinematography – Color, Best Film Editing, Best Music Score – Substantially Original, and Best Sound. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama and BAFTAs for Best Film and Outstanding British Film.
The film grossed $70 million at the worldwide box office against an estimated production budget of $15 million. It premiered at London's Odeon Leicester Square on December 10, 1962, followed by a United States release on December 16.
Bans and critical acclaim
Jordan banned the film, stating it felt the movie showcased a disrespectful portrayal of Arab culture. Egypt was the only Arab nation to allow its release, where it became a hit. With a runtime of 3 hours and 42 minutes, Lawrence of Arabia is a little over a minute longer than Gone With the Wind, making it the longest film to win the Best Picture Oscar.
The film holds a 93% critics and audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: “At last, a film has arrived to justify and even compliment the wide screen - a spectacle with an intelligent purpose and, in many respects, the most exciting and beautiful movie ever made.” Another noted: “One of the most magnificent pictures, if not the most magnificent, and one of the most exasperating.”
Audiences have been equally captivated. One viewer wrote: “Lawrence of Arabia is a masterclass in epic filmmaking, blending biography and historical drama into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Its scale and visual grandeur remain unmatched, even by modern standards.” Another fan said: “A cinematic masterpiece. The large scale and slow burn of the desert scenes, the cinematography basically making the desert it's own character, and representing it well as I've traveled to the locations in Jordan where they filmed.”
Lawrence of Arabia airs this afternoon, September 12, at 1.30pm on BBC Two.
