Enjoy historical epic 'Lawrence of Arabia' on the Michigan Theater's big screen Sunday, Tuesday
"Lawrence of Arabia"
Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn star in David Lean’s 1962 classic, based on the life of flamboyant and controversial British Army officer T.E. Lawrence, showing Sunday and Tuesday at the Michigan Theater as part of its Summer Classics series.
The film’s themes include Lawrence's emotional struggles with the personal violence inherent in war, his personal identity, and his divided allegiance between his native Britain and its army and his newfound comrades within the Arabian desert tribes.
O'Toole is generally considered brilliant in the title role, an officer who becomes a hero and then seeks anonymity under an assumed name. One of the film’s most amazing scenes, with horses jumping from a train, probably wouldn't even be allowed today.
“Lawrence of Arabia” is one of those films that really need to be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated, and the Michigan Theater is the perfect place.
Summer Classics film series presents “Lawrence of Arabia” at the Michigan Theater, 603 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor, Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 (with discounts for students, seniors & theater members). Details at www.michtheater.org or 734-668-8397. Advance tickets at ticketweb.com. 216 minutes. Rated PG.
Comments
Jenn McKee
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.
There's a new book about T. E. Lawrence that's getting a good bit of attention, and starting this conversation anew. Here's a link to the New York Times review of the book: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/11/books/review/lawrence-in-arabia-by-scott-anderson.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 (I'd also add, though, that when people talk about "movies that should be seen on the big screen," David Lean's classic is nearly always on the list - and rightfully so. History aside, it's a cinematic marvel.)
John of Saline
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
Just as Dr. Zhivago is best seen in summer, I think Lawrence of Arabia is best seen in winter.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Aug 14, 2013 : 3:17 p.m.
Geopolitics aside, for the moment: I made a point of suggesting to our daughter (when she was in her teens and happily engaged in real creative activities) that she might get something from seeing this (incredibly long) movie. After I carefully explained what the early 1960s Cinema Epics Era was about and how long we'd be in the theater: we went and saw this movie. Neither of us has ever regretted the time we spent watching that movie. Back to geopolitics: Both my daughter and I understand that the reality behind the movie is that Col. Lawrence was acting to promote the best interest of the then-colonial-minded UK as much as from any sympathy for the "Arab cause." From the historical record: " Lawrence's major contribution to the revolt was convincing the Arab leaders (Faisal and Abdullah) to co-ordinate their actions in support of British strategy." I still think this is a great movie. But it's important to keep in mind that it's also a propaganda film which makes a hero of a man who worked in British Intelligence against Turkey, the most important German ally in WW I. Lawrence's putative humanitarianism was outweighed by that pragmatic motive.