Picture 35: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

1962 and we come across yet another David Lean classic. Can this British made epic continue the fantastic form so far on display from 1960s cinema?

We join British Army officer T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’ Toole) on his Great War deployment in the Middle East. He is rebellious by nature and doesn’t fit in with the typical “play snooker and grow a moustache” officer mess vibe.

He is tasked by his long-suffering General with meeting Arab insurgency leader Prince Faisal (Alec Guinness) deep in the cruel furnace of the Arabian desert. It is the British intention to cause mayhem for the ruling Ottoman Turks by stirring up Arab rebellion.

Lawrence manages to find Faisal and, bit by bit, constructs one of the most spectacular military achievements of World War 1. Lawrence is brave, selfless and daring beyond comprehension. The more he is engaged with the plight of the Arabs, the more he questions the questionable ethics of the British Empire. Will he adopt a new cultural identity or is this an impossibility for a blonde, blue-eyed man from Jesus College, Oxford?

Visually stunning with masterful cinematography and character development, it is truly one of the greatest films ever made and lands in an impressive fourth place.

NB Be sure to bring plenty of snacks, drinks and a sleeping bag so you last the full 4 hours.

Rating: 9/10

Reflections:

1.     The days of a superpower are always numbered.

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. Casablanca (1943)

2. The Apartment (1960)

3. Rebecca (1940)

4. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

5. Ben-Hur (1959)

6. Lost Weekend (1945)

7. All About Eve (1950)

8. Hamlet (1948)

9. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

10. Gone With the Wind (1939)

11. West Side Story (1961)

12. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

13. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

14. Wings (1928)

15. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

16. You can’t take it with you (1938)

17. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

18. On the Waterfront (1954)

19. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

20. Marty (1955)

21. Cimarron (1931)

22. Grand Hotel (1932)

23. An American in Paris (1951)

24. From Here to Eternity (1953)

25. It Happened One Night (1934)

26. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

27. Cavalcade (1933)

28. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

29. Going My Way (1944)

30. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

31. All the King’s Men (1949)

32. Gigi (1958)

33. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

34. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

35. The Broadway Melody (1929)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield

Dr Caspar Briault

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia