Lawrence of Arabia.....

Discussion in 'Movies/TV' started by RollTide, Aug 22, 2011.

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  1. RollTide

    RollTide All-Pro

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    This has to be the best film ever made. The scope, the grandeur. This film is the definition of masterpiece.

    If this was just from a novel or a story idea like some of David Lean's other epic films(Passage to India, Dr Zhivago) it would still be an all time great film but this is based on a real man in a real war who is more accomplished and more fascinating than any film could ever depict.

    T.E. Lawrence was one of the greatest war heroes of the 20th century and while he didn't invent the Arab revolt against the Turks he led the revolt beginning when he was only a lieutenant. He was a brilliant military strategist, leader of men and a man with almost no regard for his own personal safety. He was an archeologist, fluent in Arabic. An specialist intelligence specialist who mapped the area for the British government as a civilian back before the war even started.

    He had a dream of an independent Arabia and worked tirelessly after the war to make that happen. Many historians believe that had his ideas for Arabia been implemented we would not have half the problems in the area we have today.

    He wrote about his role in the Arab revolt in "The seven pillars of wisdom" a non fiction classic.

    As for the film about this man it is the most majestic and beautiful film ever made. But that is in contrast to the depiction of a theater in a world war between groups(Turks vs Arabs) that were particularly unmerciful and brutal to each other. Lawrence was also a part of that.
     
  2. GoT

    GoT Strength and Honor

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    are you saying that the British mishandled a situation, of course looking back about a century with 20/20 hindsite?

    LoA was a great movie, and the real life dude was very interesting indeed.
     
  3. RollTide

    RollTide All-Pro

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    Sykes–Picot Agreement was made in secret so that the Arabs would not stop fighting. That alone is unethical to say the least. France got an equal share of the area and made little military commitment there.

    France got all of Syria, Lebanon and half of Iraq. The Brits got most of the rest.

    The Arabs would have been content with what the French got and were willing to be partners with the British. Damascus was the most important city and Prince Fiesal wanted an outlet to the sea, Lebanon.

    Of course this is all before a zionist state was created.
     
  4. GoT

    GoT Strength and Honor

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    and here I thought only the USA was the global police ...
    :sarcasm:
     
  5. Big TT

    Big TT AKA QUADZILLA-STATE CHAMP-

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    My favorite movie of all time. Not entirely historically accurate but...close enough. T. E. Lawrence certainly lead a interesting life. And I agree with you, if the brits and frogs had just left well enough alone things might have turned out much better.
     
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  6. RollTide

    RollTide All-Pro

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    I'm reading Michael Korda's book, "hero" for the 2nd time and i guess i could have a real problem with how both Lawrence and General Allenby were depicted. Allenby's family were upset enough to file a law suit at the time. He was a man who was as honest as can be and a great military man but the film depicts him as an unscrupulous manipulator.

    Lawrence's character was taken largely from a then recent bio of his that insisted he was both gay(Who cares) and a masochist. It is implied in the film that he was sexually involved with the 2 young bedu men Duad and Farraj who were servants of his in the desert. The problem with that depiction is that Lawrence had a major problem with being touched. He absolutely could not stand to be touched and would not have been walking around hugging people and having his arm around people.

    He was tortured and raped by the Turks at Deraa. He was shot at least 3 different times during the war. Had numerous broken bones. It was he not some lower level grunt who set off the charges that blew up the railroads that paralyzed the Turkish army. He was almost killed many times from flying bodies and debris.

    The battle between the ottoman Turks and the Arabs was incredibly brutal and inhumane. The badly wounded Arabs were shot dead rather than leave them to be tortured by the Turks. this brutality is blamed on Lawrence. that's unfair.

    The depiction in the film of talal's village was entirely accurate. The Turks murdered babies there! everybody! And Talal did charge the Turks alone and was gunned down. When Lawrence gave the "no prisoners" order it was something that most of us would have also done.
     
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  7. Gunny

    Gunny Shoutbox Fuhrer

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    Never seen it. Can't wait for the Hollywood re-make...
     
  8. KamikaZ

    KamikaZ Ex-Hall of Famer

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    I can see a faceless producer flailing his arms excitedly now, proclaiming:

    "Russell Crowe can be Lawrence, while Daniel Craig will be handed Alec Guinness' part. There will be a CGI desert. Oh, can we get the script writers who did "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" on the phone? I think this remake needs more nukes and fridges..."

    The sad part is, I could easily believe this is being re-made, and somewhat soon at that.
     
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  9. Ryudo

    Ryudo Farten Up

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    Directed by Micheal bay.




    .....ugh Shudder
     
  10. GoT

    GoT Strength and Honor

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    so no Megan Fox?
     
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