Lawrence of Arabia released 50 years ago today

Lawrence of Arabia Released: December 16, 1962 Studio: Columbia Genre: epic Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 44.82 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 543.89 Worldwide: 545.00

Directing: David Lean Screenwriting: Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson Starring: Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Omar Sharif, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer, Jack Hawkins Review: This “sweeping, breath-taking, cinematic” FS “blockbuster biography of enigmatic adventurer T.E. Lawrence is that rarity, an epic film that is also literate.” LM “One of the greatest films of all time,” FS it is “staggering in its scope, execution and impact” BFI and “remains a moving and memorable film-going experience.” BFI The story, which is based on Lawrence’s book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, “follows the true-life exploits of…T. E. Lawrence…and his transformation from an enigmatic eccentric to a hero.” FS During World War I, “the complex, English military leader” VD “comes to believe he can give Arabia back to the Arabs.” A07 He “courageously unites the warring Arab fractions into a guerrilla front” FS “to fight alongside the British against the Turks in the 1914-17 campaign.” BFI Lawrence is “played with charismatic brilliance by 30 year-old Peter O’Toole.” BFI In his Oscar-nominated performance in his first leading role in his first major film, he became “an instant star.” LM The movie also “introduced Sharif to an international audience.” A07 In a film “full of scenes and performances to treasure…perhaps the best remembered is the arrival at the isolated well of Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif) and the long shot of his ride across the shimmering sand.” BFI The “sumptuous desert imagery” T98 was as much a star as the actors. The movie is “stunning in its scope with absolutely awesome” VD and “rich cinematography of the immense” FS and “shifting desert so superbly photographed in glorious 70mm by Freddie Young.” BFI Sources: BFI British Film Institute (1999) “The BFI 100: A Selection of the Favourite British Films of the 20th Century” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” LM Leonard Maltin “100 Must-See Films of the 20th Century” T98 Time Out (1998). “Readers’ Top 100 Films” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 7, including Best Picture, Best Director, Cinematography, Score, Editing, and Art Direction Nominations: 10 – including Best Actor (O’Toole), Best Supporting Actor (Sharif), Best Adapted Screenplay Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Roger Ebert Leslie Halliwell/John Walker Leonard Maltin First posted 7/31/2019; last updated 6/2/2023.

Ben-Hur released 50 years ago

Ben-Hur Released: November 18, 1959 Studio: MGM Genre: war epic Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 74.0 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 961.94 Worldwide: 2578.10

Directing: William Wyler Screenwriting: Karl Tunberg Starring: Charlton Heston, Hugh Griffith, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Martha Scott, Cathy O’Donnell Review: This remake of the 1927 silent film with Ramon Novarro, itself an adaption of the 1880 novel by Lew Wallace, is “one of the cinema’s greatest epics.” FS It is a “character-driven, action-filled, star-studded extravaganza” FS and “compelling human story of revenge, bitterness, redemption and forgiveness.” FS Heston is Judah Ben Hur, the Prince of Judea. His boyhood friend, Messala (Boyd), has become “a tyrannical Roman Governor.” VD Messala banishes and enslaves Ben Hur and his family (Scott and O’Donnell). Ben Hur “saves the life of Roman nobleman/admiral Quintus Arrius (Hawkins), is adopted and becomes a respected citizen and a famed chariot racer under the tutelage of an Arabian horse racer (Griffith).” FS Years later, Ben Hur seeks revenge against Messala in the Roman Chariot Race, “often regarded as one of the most exciting action sequences ever filmed.” FS Along the way, Ben Hur has “an inspirational encounter with Jesus.” FS When Ben Hur returns to Judea, “rescues his suffering, leprous family and witnesses the crucifixion of Jesus.” FS Heston finds “forgiveness and redemption when he tries to help Jesus Christ, the man who once saved him” A7 “and is inspired to convert to Christianity.” FS Sources: A7 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Oscars: Wins: 11, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Charlton Heston), Best Supporting Actor (Hugh Griffith), Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects Nominations: 12, included Best Adapted Screenplay Other Awards: Other Lists/Honors: First posted 9/13/2019; last updated 5/29/2023.