Lawrence of Arabia (1962) (Patreon)

#7 on the AFI List!

This is undeniably an EPIC in every sense of the word. The sheer visuals of the desert are breathtaking. I don't even know how they achieved it! Incredible sweeping wide shots, the golden colours of magic hour, and the endless sand dunes. I enjoyed the innovative framing and use of colour, from the costumes to the vast locations, which really do feel almost otherworldly. Lean's vision is unlike any other, and it's easy to see how this film has influenced generations of filmmakers. The cinematography, score, and bold choices make it a technical and artistic triumph that truly feels game-changing in filmmaking.

That said, I found myself struggling with the story, especially the main character, in many moments. Lawrence himself is beautiful, but he created a lot of confusion for me. An outsider who transforms into something almost mythic, only to unravel under the weight of his own contradictions. I often felt lost trying to pin him down: one minute he's a visionary uniting tribes, the next he's grappling with ego, violence, and a disturbing thrill at the sight of bloodshed. On one hand, I totally get it, can relate to how this would be life-altering, and then on the other... I can't. His identity and relationships are fractured, leaving me disoriented about who he truly is or what he ultimately stands for. That sense of being adrift with him might be exactly what the film intends to do to me, and in that it succeeded. The absurdity of one man's delusions in the face of war, politics, and culture left me unsettled. And so confused.

Still, I appreciated the film. Lots of layers and seemingly lots of symbolism: the desert itself is a transformative, but also takes him. The white robes and the recurring motifs of water, fire, and fate ("It is written") that underscore themes of destiny. Really, a tragedy of a man caught between worlds, in the end not belonging to either and losing himself. Destined to be alone? It left me lost in thought, down a path of introspection about self, identity, and the world.

I'm not sure if one viewing is enough for me to fully embrace the film or the character's journey. I need time to reconcile with the unease it provokes. It might take several rewatches to sit comfortably with the film, the belief, and ... everything. But even on first watch, its visuals and ambition are impossible to ignore. I can see how some people regard this as a masterpiece.

Let me know your thoughts below!

Enjoy,

Ames