THE ASTOR REVIEW

Classic desert blockbuster with a penetrating glimpse into the inner life of a maverick hero who managed to forge a cohesive destiny for warring Arab tribes in the early 20th Century on the road to overthrowing the Ottoman Empire’s control of the oil-rich sands. “The British have a deep yearning for desolate places.” This must be seen on the big screen. Cinematography by Freddie Young, Music by Maurice Jarre. Stunning production. With Jack Hawkins, Jose Ferrer, Anthony Quayle. Anita Paul

IMDB SYNOPSIS

An inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name. The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in London at the age of 47, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.