Overview
A British officer's journey through the Arabian desert reveals the complexities of war and loyalty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- grandiose
- exhilarating
- melancholic
- classic film marathon
- historical cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as an extraordinarily crafted and performed historical epic, praising its spectacle and technical mastery while noting its length and occasionally conventional characterization.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
David Lean and cinematographer F. A. Young emphasize Super Panavision desert vistas, large military movements, and expansive compositions.
Lawrence repeatedly reshapes himself as a legendary leader while his identity and motives become increasingly difficult to contain.
Lawrence assists the Arab Revolt while navigating British military orders and the competing political designs of British and Arab leadership.
The film begins with Lawrence’s death and funeral context before recounting his role in the Arab Revolt.
Films like Lawrence of Arabia, and why
The Bridge on the River Kwai
shared historical epic scale, wartime politics, cultural identity conflicts, and spectacular widescreen landscapes
Doctor Zhivago
shared David Lean grandeur, historical war setting, morally complex leadership, and sweeping visual spectacle
The Last Emperor
shared biographical epic form, imperial politics, charismatic outsider protagonist, and vast desert imagery
The English Patient
shared anti-imperial themes, wartime intrigue, ensemble adventure, and morally ambiguous heroism
Movie Details
- Director
- David Lean
- Release Date
- 1962-12-11
- Runtime
- 228 min
- Rating
- 8.0 / 10 (3600)
Cast
- Peter O'Toole
- Alec Guinness
- Omar Sharif
- Anthony Quinn
- Jack Hawkins
- José Ferrer
- Anthony Quayle
- Claude Rains
- Arthur Kennedy
- Donald Wolfit
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Philo, Netflix Standard with Ads, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lawrence of Arabia about?
- A visionary British officer becomes an Arab Revolt leader whose mythic desert exploits collide with imperial politics and his own unstable identity.
- What is Lawrence of Arabia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lawrence of Arabia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Lawrence of Arabia violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Lawrence of Arabia as moderate.
- What did critics think of Lawrence of Arabia?
- Critics broadly regard it as an extraordinarily crafted and performed historical epic, praising its spectacle and technical mastery while noting its length and occasionally conventional characterization.
- Which films are like Lawrence of Arabia?
- Films with a similar feel include The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, The Last Emperor, and The English Patient.
- How long is Lawrence of Arabia?
- Lawrence of Arabia runs 228 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lawrence of Arabia?
- In United States, Lawrence of Arabia streams on Netflix, Philo, Netflix Standard with Ads, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
