Lawrence of Arabia story
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic historical drama film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel through his British company Horizon Pictures and Columbia Pictures, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson and starring Peter O'Toole in the title role. The film, a British and American co-production, depicts Lawrence's experiences in the Ottoman Empire's provinces of Hejaz and Greater Syria during World War I, in particular his attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National Council. Its themes include Lawrence's emotional struggles with the personal violence inherent in war, his own identity, and his divided allegiance between his native Britain and its army, and his new-found comrades within the Arabian desert tribes. The film also stars Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains and Arthur Kennedy.
26 total · 2 choice · 14 major · 10 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| the desire for glory | choice | Lawrence feigned humility but clearly relished his role at center of the Arab Revolt from 1916-18 against the Ottomans. In pursuit of his own glory he devoted himself to the cause of liberating the Arab peoples from Ottoman oppression. |
| war | choice | The story concerns T. E. Lawrence's role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in the First World War. Lawrence became a central figure in the struggle, and played a pivotal role in a brutal guerrilla war against the Ottomans. |
| a common enemy unites | major | The plot turns on Lawrence persuading the rivaling Arab tribes to unite against their Ottoman oppressors. |
| colonization | major | Both the Ottomans and the Europeans had designs on colonizing Arabia. The hitherto divided Arab tribes joined forces to fiercely resist their prospective colonizers. |
| conflict of cultural norms | major | Lawrence had trouble with some Arab customs, such as blood feuds and killing each other over matters of honor. This is particularly apparent when Lawrence was forced to execute the man he had saved in the desert. |
| coping with the death of a friend | major | Lawrence was devastated a few times when his friends died. His guide Tafas of the Howeitat tribe was shot by Sherif Ali. Gasim was killed by Lawrence out of necessity. Lawrence blamed himself for his servant boy, Daud, drowning in quicksand. Farraj, a youth attached to Lawrence, was mercy killed by Lawrence to spare him torture at the hands of the Ottomans. |
| cultural exchange | major | Lawrence went to live and ride with the Bedouins in a traditional Arab garb during the joint British-Arab campaigns against the Ottomans. |
| heroism | major | A central theme was Lawrence's death defying acts of heroism. For example, he turned back into the sun's anvil in order to save Gasim and, against all odds, emerged again successful in his purpose. |
| honor | major | The story depicts Arab culture as being an honor-based culture. Lawrence was very much concerned with comporting himself in a honorable manner. He had many discussions that had to do with honor, for example with Sherif Ali about stealing his compass. |
| human vs. desert environment | major | During Lawrence's trek to Prince Feisal, and then Aqaba, the viewer is made to imagine what it'd be like to get lost in the desert. |