Customer Reviews

A Dangerous Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If all we had of T.E. Lawrence were David Lean's epic "Lawrence of Arabia," we'd have fodder for generations of romantics, but despite its sumptuousness it relies heavily on the previous mythmaking of Lowell Thomas, and Lawrence's own dissembling in "Seven Pillars of Wisdom." "A Dangerous Man," offers a corrective without destroying the myth, by giving us a deeper portrait of Lawrence, and a more factual take on his desert adventures.

World War One found its raison d'etre only after the war was declared. The assassination of a Serbian Archduke was the catalyst, but the war itself became a grab for resources, and in the mid-east, a continuation of the Great Game the superpowers had been playing for years. Rather than restricting the game to Afghanistan though, the entire region opened up for a land-grab of huge proportions, and the ill-fated peace conference in Versailles became the ultimate playing field. Lloyd George and Clemenceau represented "old Europe's" wheeling, dealing, and chicanery; while Woodrow Wilson represented the somewhat bumbling, idealistic, and ridiculed ideals of American self-determination as an unrealistic alternative to a world steeped in colonization. Lawrence and his Prince Feisal were the wild cards, and they played their cards like world-class sharks.

"A Dangerous Man," is a top-notch movie, intelligently written, flawlessly directed, and superbly acted. It's one of the few celluloid histories that find fact more interesting than fiction, and it also serves as an interesting primer to recent events.

My recommendation is unqualified; this is a movie worth seeing and talking about.

Follows up on where "Lawrence of Arabia" left off. It's 1919, WWI has ended. Lawrence and Feisel travel to the Paris Peace Conference in hopes of gaining independence for the Arabs but become entangled in diplomacy and political intrigue.

This film was made for television so don't expect a majestic, wide-screen David Lean production. But what is here is very well done indeed and centers on the man behind the legend and touches on the psychological angst that drove him.

Very well written and acted. Cast includes: Ralph Fiennes as Lawrence and Siddig El Fadil as Feisal. Highly recommended.

Being a student of TE Lawrence, I particularly enjoyed this movie about the Paris Peace Conference post WW I British-French handling of Arabia. Ralph Fiennes was wonderful in the role of Lawrence. His physical stance, body language, facial expressions and voice were as history describes TEL. This movie was subtle, sets and costumes historically accurate and famous figures very well cast. It would be of interest to history lovers, specifically of this era, even who knew nothing about the specific subject. However, knowing the facts probably does add to the appreciation of the movie. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in TE Lawrence and/or the history of Arabia and the Middle East.

This movie does not have the sweeping cinematography that "Lawrence of Arabia" had, but this is still a good movie. The viewer will see what happened behind closed doors after Lawrence returned to Europe in an attempt to further the Arab independence cause.

Fiennes is a great choice for T.E. Lawrence. His expressions speak volumes of all the things running through Lawrence's head as he tried to fight the agenda of France and Great Britain. In his interaction with his Arab counterpart, you see that he does not always share what he is thinking and that his fame is beginning to cause some trouble for him.

Although a fine movie, you really need to know a bit about this time and the events to really understand it all. Mentioned in the movies is Lawrence's book "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," which would be helpful.

I would recommend watching this movie.

This movie was absolutely fabulous. I loved Fiennes portrayal of TE Lawrence, as well as the historical accuracy that Lean's epic lacked. It is preferrable to have a previous knowledge of the Paris Peace Conference as well as Lawrence's life as it gives the film an added depth. I recommend this for all Fiennes' and TEL fans.

The revolt in the desert was a sideshow of a sideshow, so it is said... But, what about the long term consequences of the Paris Peace conf. and the mistreatment of the Arabs. This excellent film explains the history of some of the roots in the middle crisis in the modern time. Excellent acting, and excellent story telling. Lean's popular story is good, this work is again excellent and more factual.

This is an excellent film which gives the viewer a more intimate view of the enigmatic Lawrence than its predecessor "Lawrence of Arabia." The acting and directing are first-class and the rapport between Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) and Feisal (Siddig El Fadil) is wonderful to watch.

As a student of Middle East history, I loved this movie. Lean's film was excellent as a movie, but its history was flawed and it gave Lawrence too much credit. Fiennes' portrayal is closer to the truth. As a fan of both Fiennes and Siddig, I loved the acting. I highly recommend this movie, but it helps if you are already familiar with the history of the Paris Peace Conference and of the Middle East during the early half of the century.

Picking up where "Lawrence of Arabia" left off, this film focuses on the political maneuverings among the French, English, and Americans following World War I, as they gather in Paris to divide up the world according to their colonial interests. T. E. Lawrence and the Arab prince Faisal, who fought together against the Turks during the war, attempt to preserve the new-won independence for the Arabs, but they are out-maneuvered at nearly every turn by the British, who with the help of the French, have plans to fold much of Arabia into the Empire.

Since we know from the start that Lawrence fails in his efforts, the film becomes a character study of a man without the political leverage to gain his objectives, while deeply conflicted by a personal history that makes his efforts seem desperate and painful. Meanwhile, those pitted against him are quick to show their scorn, using his illegitimate birth and his humble origins in an attempt to humiliate and intimidate him. In response, Lawrence employs his cutting wit, his intelligence, and a kind of reckless bravado to hold his own against them until circumstances and exhaustion finally wear him down.

Compared to Peter O'Toole's performance in "Lawrence of Arabia," Ralph Fiennes gives us a less glamorized portrayal of the man who seems driven by both over-confidence and self-doubt. The giggly grin during moments of pressure reveals a barely concealed uncertainty, even when he is playing hardball with his adversaries. It's clear that he is most at ease with his only compatriot, Faisal, whom he loves, while at the same time using him like a pawn in a game he seems to be playing for his own ends. It's a wonderfully complex performance set against a key moment in European and Middle East history with ramifications that fill the news today, almost 90 years later.

Although quite a rare film to get a hold of now & out of print, this is one of Ralph Fiennes early successes on the big screen. Although playing our GREAT hero Lawrence completely differently to Peter O'Toole, I think Ralph does a wonderful job of portraying Lawrence's personality (assuming all that we read is true of this iconic legend?)

The story here is about what happened after the defeat of the Turks in Transjordan and what the Ottoman Empire was then. How the great expanse of this area was split up, why it was split up & who were involved in the [fatal?] decision making behind creating the countries that exist in the Middle East today. It will probably help you understand the present conflicts out there and may get you to question whether what happened was in the true interests of those living there? Namely Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon & Saudi Arabia.

As Ralph discovers half way through the film it's all about power, money & of course Oil.

Not as long as "Lawrence of Arabia" it is worth its weight in gold as it compliments the original film.