When looking at the film's epic qualities, I had to agree that the score was incredible. I recognized it quickly because it is often played at the Oscars. Cinematically, the wide screenshots were beautiful; they really captured the beauty and expanse of the desert. The eye makeup was very Adam Lambert. Peter O'Toole (who played Lawrence) was a splendid and believable character.
The story is perhaps the strongest epic quality of the film. It is the tale of T. E. Lawrence, a British military officer, engaged in Arabian conflicts during World War 1. This is a true story, and of course, that makes it all the more important. Lawrence helped unite warring Arab tribes to defeat the Turks and take over Aqaba and then Damascus. He was a successful leader, I believe, because he gave up his identity to become Arab--he wore their clothes, rode their camels, survived the deserts, and ate their food. And it is this that makes this movie worthwhile, in my opinion.
I love the fact that Lawrence gave up his English persona to help these Arabs. Of course, originally, his goal was to help further the British Empire (I think...), but he ended up really loving these people. At one point, when he had enough of death, he wanted to get as far away from the desert and its nomads as possible. However, as he was leaving, you see him looking longingly at the Arabs traveling along the road. It was as if he was leaving behind a part of himself.
The reason his identifying with the Arabs is so beautiful to me is that it reminds me of Jesus and the way that he left Heaven to come to Earth and be a man. He laid aside His outer glory and took on a perishable body in order to heal our brokenness and bring us peace. Lawrence stepped out of his comfortable position as an English soldier and found himself identifying with these warring Arab tribes. He united them and brought peace--in a similar manner as Christ.
We learn at the beginning of the movie that he dies in a motorcycle wreck, and many memorialize him. Some talk about what a hero he was while others only remember his eccentric and showboating personality. I just found it incredibly ironic that a man who survived the Sinai Desert, sandstorms, avoided quicksand, and managed to live through wars, ends up dying in a motorcycle wreck. He was definitely more than a showboat riding camels and wearing Arabian clothes, he was a world-changer. That's pretty epic.
Next up: The Sound of Music
I love the fact that Lawrence gave up his English persona to help these Arabs. Of course, originally, his goal was to help further the British Empire (I think...), but he ended up really loving these people. At one point, when he had enough of death, he wanted to get as far away from the desert and its nomads as possible. However, as he was leaving, you see him looking longingly at the Arabs traveling along the road. It was as if he was leaving behind a part of himself.
The reason his identifying with the Arabs is so beautiful to me is that it reminds me of Jesus and the way that he left Heaven to come to Earth and be a man. He laid aside His outer glory and took on a perishable body in order to heal our brokenness and bring us peace. Lawrence stepped out of his comfortable position as an English soldier and found himself identifying with these warring Arab tribes. He united them and brought peace--in a similar manner as Christ.
We learn at the beginning of the movie that he dies in a motorcycle wreck, and many memorialize him. Some talk about what a hero he was while others only remember his eccentric and showboating personality. I just found it incredibly ironic that a man who survived the Sinai Desert, sandstorms, avoided quicksand, and managed to live through wars, ends up dying in a motorcycle wreck. He was definitely more than a showboat riding camels and wearing Arabian clothes, he was a world-changer. That's pretty epic.
Next up: The Sound of Music
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