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on July 25, 2014
A gripping film, with truly well executed points of humor, tragedy, and drama. The movie wears its ~3.5 hours quite gracefully, with few to no moments where the viewer wishes that the director would just get on with it.
Having done some independent research into the sociopolitical environment of "Arabia" before and after watching the movie, I am largely impressed by the accuracy of the historical events portrayed.
Furthermore, it can be observed through some brief Google work that Peter O'Toole bears a striking resemblance to Laurence, particularly with his striking eyes that truly convey his character.
I think that modern directors, particularly those who rejoice in epics like Peter Jackson and James Cameron, could learn quite a bit by studying this film in terms of the different between fluff and idle moments.
To conclude, I was most impressed with this film and would recommend it to anyone. Don't let the length discourage you- I watched it over the course of 4 nights to make it manageable, and that didn't reduce its value in my mind, but rather provided me with opportunity to think over what I had seen and compare it to the real historical events (with the limited degree of objective fact with which any historical event is recorded) which has given me greater appreciation for the writing and acting.
Having done some independent research into the sociopolitical environment of "Arabia" before and after watching the movie, I am largely impressed by the accuracy of the historical events portrayed.
Furthermore, it can be observed through some brief Google work that Peter O'Toole bears a striking resemblance to Laurence, particularly with his striking eyes that truly convey his character.
I think that modern directors, particularly those who rejoice in epics like Peter Jackson and James Cameron, could learn quite a bit by studying this film in terms of the different between fluff and idle moments.
To conclude, I was most impressed with this film and would recommend it to anyone. Don't let the length discourage you- I watched it over the course of 4 nights to make it manageable, and that didn't reduce its value in my mind, but rather provided me with opportunity to think over what I had seen and compare it to the real historical events (with the limited degree of objective fact with which any historical event is recorded) which has given me greater appreciation for the writing and acting.
on August 30, 2017
This is, in my opinion, the best movie ever made. The movie is nearly four hours long and if you watch the extras that come with the second disc you will definitely spend more than 4 hours watching all the content you receive. This movie, even though it was released in 1962 (so old in fact that all the actors that starred in it are dead may they rest in peace) looks absolutely amazing even by today's standards. I would go so far as to say there are countless movies much younger than this that definitely had bigger budgets and access to newer technologies that look inferior. That is the beauty of 70mm film. For the sake of giving this movie more praise, I will spoil the movie just a bit. The only fake thing in this movie that you would probably have to be told is fake was the sun in the scene where the sun rises over the sun's anvil (it was a painting because not even the mighty super panavision 70 cameras could film the sun). The result is that this movie could definitely age to over 100 years and still even the most critical of critics would say it looks fantastic.
I would also like to talk about the criticisms this movie has received over the inaccuracies presented in this movie and also the choice of actors. The fact is, this is a movie. It is not a documentary. To criticize this movie over inaccuracies is ridiculous because movies are made to entertain, not to inform. Quite clearly, the capture of Aqaba was fictionalized because it would have made for a better scene to surprise the Turks directly at Aqaba rather than watching the Turks fire one or two shots and then suddenly surrender and to also make Lawrence appear grander than he really was by making it out that he alone with his Arab friends took Aqaba rather than coordinating with British naval forces to help with the capture of Aqaba. The choice of actors was also very good. While it is true that an Englishman was chosen to play the role of an Arab (Prince Faisal played by Alec Guinness), and that the only lead Arab actor was not even a Muslim at the time of filming (Omar Sharif as Ali), and that Lawrence of Arabia was played by someone almost a foot taller than him (Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence), the fact is, these actors were very good choices. Alec Guinness did an exceptional job at portraying Prince Faisal and in the extras it is even mentioned some people confused him with the actual Prince Faisal. This was a big role and choosing an experienced actor was by far the most appropriate thing to do. Omar Sharif spoke English and was well known in the middle east so his religion was irrelevant to the role. Peter O'Toole was definitely significantly taller than the real Lawrence of Arabia but this is a movie and the characters portrayed within are subjected through a process designed to make them appear grander. Casting a 5'5" individual would have had disastrous effects for this movie.
To summarize, this is the best movie ever made and it would be a shame if you do not watch it before you die. Remember, it's a movie so there is no need to nitpick all the details.
My only complaint was the box the movie came in was very flimsy because it was not the standard Blu-Ray box.
I would also like to talk about the criticisms this movie has received over the inaccuracies presented in this movie and also the choice of actors. The fact is, this is a movie. It is not a documentary. To criticize this movie over inaccuracies is ridiculous because movies are made to entertain, not to inform. Quite clearly, the capture of Aqaba was fictionalized because it would have made for a better scene to surprise the Turks directly at Aqaba rather than watching the Turks fire one or two shots and then suddenly surrender and to also make Lawrence appear grander than he really was by making it out that he alone with his Arab friends took Aqaba rather than coordinating with British naval forces to help with the capture of Aqaba. The choice of actors was also very good. While it is true that an Englishman was chosen to play the role of an Arab (Prince Faisal played by Alec Guinness), and that the only lead Arab actor was not even a Muslim at the time of filming (Omar Sharif as Ali), and that Lawrence of Arabia was played by someone almost a foot taller than him (Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence), the fact is, these actors were very good choices. Alec Guinness did an exceptional job at portraying Prince Faisal and in the extras it is even mentioned some people confused him with the actual Prince Faisal. This was a big role and choosing an experienced actor was by far the most appropriate thing to do. Omar Sharif spoke English and was well known in the middle east so his religion was irrelevant to the role. Peter O'Toole was definitely significantly taller than the real Lawrence of Arabia but this is a movie and the characters portrayed within are subjected through a process designed to make them appear grander. Casting a 5'5" individual would have had disastrous effects for this movie.
To summarize, this is the best movie ever made and it would be a shame if you do not watch it before you die. Remember, it's a movie so there is no need to nitpick all the details.
My only complaint was the box the movie came in was very flimsy because it was not the standard Blu-Ray box.
on February 28, 2015
To start with this movie is not for kids unless it is past their bed time. This is a very long movie 3:40. It is a long story and it is a little slow in places. It is a great story. The filming and colors are very good for the time. I have seen the movie several times in the theater and in several different formats. The HD download on Amazon is immaculate. No scratches, no pops and no hiss. I believe that it is the full wide screen format and has not been cropped to fit the screen. Some "narrow" versions are cropped to the point of not having both actors on the screen when they are having a conversation. It in really annoying to have them cut from one face to the other during a conversation. This cut shows both actors in the frame when they talk. If you are going to invest nearly four hours of time this is a very good copy to watch.
on November 17, 2012
Just got this yesterday and am planning on having friends over for a viewing. LOA has always been my favorite all time movie but as high definition TVs got better and better, the old laser disks and video cassettes of this movie just didn't do it justice. I have anxiously awaited this Blu-Ray edition for several years. The release date kept being postponed over and over again.
Well, it's here at last and it is STUNNING, incredibly magnificent. I took a sneak peek at the opening scenes cause I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. It just totally blows you away with the clarity of the image on a big screen. I have a 1080p Panasonic projector, a 10' diagonal Stewart screen and 7.1 digital sound system and this Blu-Ray version shows off all this "stuff" better than anything I've seen on my system. Listening to the soundtrack's music (Maurice Jarre) through a digital surround system was proof they put as much effort into restoring the sound track as they did the film image.
This Blu-Ray version of LoA will take your breath away. It's hard to believe that in today's world of digitized and computer generated scenery, that all the amazing sweeping panoramic desert scenes were filmed on location. If you love this movie, buy the Blu-Ray, PERIOD.
Well, it's here at last and it is STUNNING, incredibly magnificent. I took a sneak peek at the opening scenes cause I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. It just totally blows you away with the clarity of the image on a big screen. I have a 1080p Panasonic projector, a 10' diagonal Stewart screen and 7.1 digital sound system and this Blu-Ray version shows off all this "stuff" better than anything I've seen on my system. Listening to the soundtrack's music (Maurice Jarre) through a digital surround system was proof they put as much effort into restoring the sound track as they did the film image.
This Blu-Ray version of LoA will take your breath away. It's hard to believe that in today's world of digitized and computer generated scenery, that all the amazing sweeping panoramic desert scenes were filmed on location. If you love this movie, buy the Blu-Ray, PERIOD.
on November 13, 2012
Lawrence of Arabia is easily one of the greatest films ever made and there are plenty of reviews and comments already out there, so here's my review of the 50th Anniversary Blu-ray. It looks and sounds absolutely stunning. I could not have asked for it to look or sound any better. It took a long time to get here, but Sony has not let us down. Now, I've seen the film dozens of times, mostly in theaters in L.A., but I don't remember every frame of it to be one of the people who will inevitably show up here and say they were disappointed because the color correction of this or that scene was too cool or too warm, etc. compared to "the way it's supposed to be." They may be right, they may be wrong. But certainly nothing jumped out at me or ruined the experience.
The Blu-ray is available alone or in a 50th Anniversary set, which is what I got. The Anniversary packaging is very nice and the book looks great, though I've only browsed through it so far. And I haven't had time to watch any of the extras yet though I did watch part of the film with the information pop-ups and they were pretty good.
I could not be happier with how good this movie looks on Blu!
The Blu-ray is available alone or in a 50th Anniversary set, which is what I got. The Anniversary packaging is very nice and the book looks great, though I've only browsed through it so far. And I haven't had time to watch any of the extras yet though I did watch part of the film with the information pop-ups and they were pretty good.
I could not be happier with how good this movie looks on Blu!
on May 17, 2017
Being a huge fan of this movie I have to say that I am very pleased with this set. It is quite large. Book has beautiful pictures and is carefully put together.
on May 7, 2017
The book by T. E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, would be very hard to read for a westerner, unless you have an affinity for arab names, but I listened to it and think it should be required reading for all westerners, at least chapter 2. This movie captures the main points of the book but so subtly that most will miss the main points of the arab psyche which is explained so effectively in the book.
on March 23, 2013
This review is for the quality of the blu-ray transfer and not the film itself. The blu-ray version of Lawrence of Arabia is stunning. The color saturation and tones are perfect. The level of detail is so fine at times that it is almost as if you are seeing the characters and scenes in real life. This is exactly what a viewer wants with a movie full of scenic vistas and exotic locations, like this one. The sound is also superb, with distinct dialogue and a soundtrack that soars. Thank you, Sony, for doing justice to this remarkable film.
If you are considering an upgrade from DVD, it is totally worth it. This is one of the best blu-ray transfers I have seen of an old classic.
If you are considering an upgrade from DVD, it is totally worth it. This is one of the best blu-ray transfers I have seen of an old classic.
on January 13, 2014
Having seen (and fallen in love with) this film when it was originally shown in theatres in 1962/63, I always wanted a copy of my own to relive the wonderful experience. Over the years, as they were each newly released, I've bought the VHS tapes and 3 different DVD versions -- each purporting to be "improved" over the previous ones. All were disappointments: Scenes were missing; the colors were faded; and the sides were often lopped off to fit a standard TV screen.
FINALLY the 50th Anniversary Collector's Blu-Ray Edition has presented a nearly-perfect reconstruction of the original theatre film. The only thing lacking is the huge Super Panavision screen that it was originally intended for, and that shows the film to its finest advantage. But that's no fault of this latest home edition of the film. Rather, it's up to ME to (hopefully) find a larger screen on which to view it someday.
To all devotees of the Lawrence of Arabia film, don't hesitate to spend the extra cash to buy this magnificent 50th Anniversary Edition. You will NOT regret it! The gorgeous accompanying book & 70 mm film frame & numerous extras are delightful bonuses!
FINALLY the 50th Anniversary Collector's Blu-Ray Edition has presented a nearly-perfect reconstruction of the original theatre film. The only thing lacking is the huge Super Panavision screen that it was originally intended for, and that shows the film to its finest advantage. But that's no fault of this latest home edition of the film. Rather, it's up to ME to (hopefully) find a larger screen on which to view it someday.
To all devotees of the Lawrence of Arabia film, don't hesitate to spend the extra cash to buy this magnificent 50th Anniversary Edition. You will NOT regret it! The gorgeous accompanying book & 70 mm film frame & numerous extras are delightful bonuses!
