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| Lawrence of Arabia (Single Disc Edition) | 
 enlarge | Actors: John Dimech, Jose Ferrer, Alec Guinness, Jack Gwillim, Jack Hawkins
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.94
Buy Used: $4.99
You Save: $9.95 (67%)
New (65) Used (42) Collectible (2) from $4.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  388 reviews
Sales Rank: 2234
Format: Anamorphic, Subtitled, Color, Dolby
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Georgian (Subtitled), Chinese (Subtitled), Thai (Subtitled)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 218
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: COLD09431D
ISBN: 076789880X
UPC: 043396094314
EAN: 9780767898805
ASIN: B00006ADD5
Theatrical Release Date: 1962
Release Date: August 27, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 A great masterpiece. July 26, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
What can I say that the other reviewers haven't said already this is a wonderful film and a great epic that was directed by David Lean, he is probably one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and most of his films have some of the best cinematography you have ever seen taking advantage of the landscape and there is a breathtaking view of the desert, the musical score was also amazing. The best thing about this film is the fact that it is flawless, everything from the performances to the script was excellent and the film also won several Oscars in 1962 and was based on a true story although I'm not sure if its accurate since I don't know that much about Lawrence only the fact that he was a legend. The film is about T.E. Lawrence brilliantly played by Peter O'Toole who is a young lieutenant in the British army in Cairo during World War One, he is assigned to help the Arabs fight the Turks in Arabia and becomes successful at uniting the waring tribes of Sherif Ali played by Omar Sharif in a role that made him a star and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn), together they end up capturing the city of Aquaba and destroying the Turk strong hold in a memorable scene as they start charging in the desert this is definitely one of the greatest films ever made and the supporting characters are well defined especially Omar Sharif and Alec Guinness as Prince Faisel who is trying to progress the Arab revolt against the Turks, I'm not going to say anything more cause I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't seen it yet, the special features were great even though the documentary Wind sand and star: the making of a classic was a bit boring cause its old the rest were fantastic, anyways you should definetely check out this classic film.
The greatest war movie that's not really a war movie. July 25, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Although this movie isn't a completely accurate depiction of Lawrence's life, it is a great movie about life. This movie depicts the struggles of a man in a foreign world that became one with both the people of that land and almost the land itself.
This movie is long and even when you think it's done it isn't even close. The nice thing is you don't mind, because there is so much more to tell. I hadn't seen this movie until I bought it. I never do that, but I figured it had to be good since it won best picture and I love war movies. Well I found out that it really isn't a war movie. Now I'm not saying that there aren't any battles. There are, but I'd say both in time and atmosphere that this is more a journey movie about a man going somewhere both physically and spiritually.
I highly recommend this movie.
BIG SCREEN SYNDROME [with hd, of course] July 3, 2007
I am sympathetic with recent reviewers here who have developed BIG SCREEN SYNDROME. After buying a 37 " sylvania w/hd last christmas, I came to realize that my entire vhs library needs to be upgraded. A word of caution-not all dvds are equal. Look for dvds made from high definition transfers or, better yet, remastered prints. Warner Bros disks are uaually excellent or at least acceptable; Paramounts are good to acceptable. Watch out for 20th Century Fox disks; not only are the often expensive, they are almost always simply copies of non-pristine, even damaged prints. [eg. My Darling Clementine, Lifeboat]. My own old vhs copies from tv broadcasts are better! As for "lawrence", I happened to purchase a 'superbit' version last year--let me tell you that is SPARKLES! Unfortunately, this version is no longer available, possibly due to it being 'finicky' to get it to play. I have not seen this 2001 version mentioned above, however, I look forward to a remastered release. mw
A powerfully brilliant film, Lean's great masterpiece from a film renaissance. June 21, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is no way that enough could be said about the film "Lawrence of Arabia."
Based loosely on Lawrence's book "Revolt in the Desert," which is an abridged version of "Seven Pillars of Wisdom."
This is the definitive classic film from a transitional time just before salacious movies became the norm. It is to director David Lean's credit that he chose patently unknown actors (at the time) for his key roles that truly made this film soar. The fact that they performed so exceptionally is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of those actors.
The contributions of "Lawrence of Arabia" to future films are seen to this day in the cinematographic techniques and similar shots in recent films.
Compared to Lawrence's books, the film, by virtue of its medium can never capture the Shakespearean quality language that T.E. Lawrence possessed. If any book parallels the film it would be Lowell Thomas's 1925 book, "With Lawrence in Arabia," that recounts the journalist's experience as an "imbedded" reporter with Lawrence. Thomas is often credited with spreading the stories of Lawrence's Arabian exploits that made him so popular in the west.
A simply brilliant film on par with Lean's "Bridge on the River Kwai." A motion picture nearly as remarkable as the man himself.
I waited much too long May 29, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I had never before seen one frame of this film, and now I hope one day to have the chance to see it on a big screen, even a big-screen tv. Wherever this was filmed, it seems no-expense-spared in its lushness, in its sets, in its battle scenes. Lean was at the top of his genius as far as I'm concerned.
O'Toole's performance was, as O'Toole himself, as T E Lawrence was, also, quirky, unpredictable, subtle. His character seems to move from boredom to arrogance to brilliance to cynicisim to sensitivity to near-madness, and then back again. O'Toole's acting outshines everyone else's, even the estimable Alec Guinness, though Alec as King Faisal is fun to watch--he, too, like the British, uses Lawrence toward his own ends. He plays the "noble sheik" who wants to lead his own people, because he is just another power-hungry leader.
The desert scenes are beautiful, the glowing shots almost familiar because we've seen similar movie shots like these, but they were AFTER this film was made--it clearly inspired many imitators. You can almost feel the desert heat and dirt. The film also offers prescient insights into today's sectarian violence where religious and tribal loyalties and feuds are seemngly more important to many Arab leaders than are national agendas or progress for all their people. The history within the film is mostly accurate and there is no neat wrap-up at the end, no ponderous speeches, no stirring conclusion. I waited too long to see this film but now I know why it is a classic.
This is the wide-screen edition, which is essential to appreciating the cinematography.
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