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Lawrence of Arabia (1962) First Time Watching! Full Movie Reaction!!
🕑 Added 2022-04-06 17:01:02 +0000 UTC
Comments
hogweed
why did you not do in two sittings that what the intermission there for
David W.
Same year Cleopatra also came out. I wouldn’t call it a bad movie but I can also see why it was so darn expensive.
David Olden
There are match cuts and there are Match Cuts!
David Olden
Gandhi (1982) was directed by the legendary Sir Richard Attenborough.
David Anderson
One of my favorite films of all time. I see the second half as the almost inevitable path of some types of idealists. It's never really clear what Lawrence wants. On the one hand, he talks about giving "the Arabs" their freedom. But on the other hand, he seems to be looking for excitement, self-meaning and satisfying some messianic complex. The prince says at one point, "mercy for Lawrence is a passion, for me it is merely good manner. You can decide which is more reliable." Lawrence's passionate desires were fleeting and unstable. He was trying to work against stable societal forces, like governments, patriotism and faith, and ends up coming up short. Very deep!
Logan Kerlee
This is by far my favorite classic film. I'm with you both, post intermission the movie is very downhill. Not in a negative movie way, no! It was just very disappointing and depressing. Lawrence was a very respectable man, one that stood for what was right. That second half though - depressed and violent, just like his end.
Neal Romanek
I really suggest A Man For All Seasons - it won the Academy Award for best picture after Lawrence Of Arabia did, written by the same brilliant screenwriter, Robert Bolt.
Neal Romanek
Behind the scenes! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UqI39QJD0M
Neal Romanek
And that guy who shakes his hand at the end is also the nurse who slaps him in the hospital (and who says he had "the honor to shake his hand in Damascus" in the very beginning.
Neal Romanek
Another upside is that the cast is filled with South Asian and Middle Eastern actors who were pretty big stars in their own country. So a western white audience might not think much of it, but it's got more of an authentically Middle Eastern cast than almost any other movie of the time.
Neal Romanek
Yep, got to do the Zhivago, Kwai, Lawrence trifecta!
Neal Romanek
Some of the best writing - and acting - ever.
Neal Romanek
The lack of female characters is very specific to the subtext of the film though. You could say that the desert itself is the major female character. Or Lawrence. There are a lot of games and themes of gender throughout as well.
Mark M
That was awesome! The intro and intermission had me laughing:)
Anakin Starkiller
Truly epic in every sense of the word. This film has one of the greatest cut scenes in film history.
Gerald Corona
... and the very next year, 1963, another epic classic hit the theaters. But only watch this one if you are ready for something completely different than L.O.A. Of course I'm talking about the one and only, "comedy to end all comedies", with a huge all star cast, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World".
AliBabaGhanouj
I forget how this played out in the movie, but in his book, Lawrence was clearly quite disillusioned by the British attitude towards war and the Arabs.
AliBabaGhanouj
Also, if you like Peter O'Toole, I'd recommend the 1968 classic The Lion In Winter, that also starred Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins (his first movie), and Timothy Dalton (later one of the James Bonds).
AliBabaGhanouj
I read his book "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" when I lived in Syria. What a fascinating character he was.
Logan Kerlee
Duuuude!! Once my computer is up and running I'm SO watching this reaction! I love this movie so damn much.
Jason Dolan
Exactly!
Burt_Fuggin_Reynolds
Due to this reaction, you have now unlocked Prometheus (2012)
Burt_Fuggin_Reynolds
Unacceptable TBR ... I need my favorite youtubers to have the best gear to watch the content I hope they get to enjoy. Please start a GoFund or whatever, I would help put in towards you guys getting a proper monitor for movie watching yet still able to connect to your PC for recording (LG C1 42 or LG CX 48).
Future Boy
Alexander, you're right, obviously! Cobra Kai always feels so short I only looked at the total minutes for 8 episodes, thinking that was an entire season. If only Cobra Kai had 8 one hour episodes per season...
Philip Alan
Okay, so one hour at a time it is! Haha!
Michael Rhine
She would never watch it and unlike Lawrence I wouldn’t try to make her.
Jason Dolan
How does she feel about Platoon?
Jason Dolan
No doubt there's always some historical inaccuracies in any biographical telling of someone's life and everyone is going to have some input as to what had to be amalgamated but take Bohemian Rhapsody which isn't exactly accurate, it still did a great job of telling the idea of Freddie Mercury and in that same sense I think this film tells a great idea of T.E. Lawrence.
Birdie Num Num
Well, there is a bit of debate on the historical accuracy of this. It's based on the autobiography of TE Lawrence, which by all accounts did not have much of the darkness the movie shows(Pauline Kael remarks about this in her pan of the film - she didn't like that it sullied her image of him). In many other filmmakers hands, this movie could easily have shown Lawrence as a great man with no flaws. Yet another reason this movie is so remarkable, they didn't go the easy route.
Birdie Num Num
here's a 2 min clip of Villeneuve talking about Lawrence. Great stuff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxejohkhRuQ
Birdie Num Num
Computer screen! haha, that is a bummer. A big screen helps you see all the amazing details better, but as your reaction shows the greatness of the film isn't really about the spectacle of it all but the amazing character study it is(and how it subverts expectations of how these sort of biopics go). It really is incredible on many levels. You are in Socal, right? Lawrence does get shown in revival theaters regularly here, so you may get a chance to see it on the big screen someday if that interests you.
Donna Castellano
Tell her I must be a man then cause this is my all time favorite movie! 😁😁. I'm a huge WWI buff and I loved they got into a piece of the middle eastern front with Lawrence's story. The music is some of the most grand and epic ever. I love everything about this film. Several years ago, I bought that special bluray edition that came with a book about the film and an actual film cell.
Joel P
Does she also hate Bridge on the River Kwai for the same reasons?
John Swon
I am so excited to see your reaction to this. One of the classics of cinema...
Michael Rhine
Btw - while I think it’s one of the greatest films of all time my wife absolutely hates Lawrence. She complained that it is too long, there are no women in it so no interesting costumes and it is just desolate. She says you have to be a man to think this is a great film.
TBR Schmitt
True!
TBR Schmitt
Aww awesome, Michael! So glad you enjoyed the reaction! Thanks for the link, we’ll definitely check that out! And for the recommendations 😊 -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Thank you, Mike! Loved hearing your thoughts and so happy you got a little more out of it this time around 😊 -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Added to the list! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
😂😂
TBR Schmitt
I would have appreciated something on screen haha but we enjoyed the music! Yes, we totally didn’t recognize him! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Added to the list! Also, appreciate the 90 min run time 😂 -Sam
TBR Schmitt
😬
TBR Schmitt
Added Ben-Hur to the list! Haha I like the “epic” poll! Need some more epic films for it! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Oh interesting! We haven’t seen Dune yet, but good to know going into it! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Unfortunately, it’s just a computer screen so we can capture the film! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
We didn’t realize it was Obi Wan until Jason told me on Instagram 🤦🏻♀️ -Sam
TBR Schmitt
That’s what we were thinking! I agree, a bit odd to include it in the release but we enjoyed it nonetheless! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Haha thanks for checking out the outro and awkward intermission! Had I know there was one, I definitely would have prepared something 😂 next time! Our backs are feeling it from our super uncomfortable chair! Woah can’t believe it’s a whole season of Cobra Kai 😂 Our editor and Daniel are going to have a field day with this one haha -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Thanks, Ellie! We’re working on improving! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Haha yay! It’s like we’re spending half the day together 😊 lol just kidding, enjoy! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Thanks, Florian! I’ve added them to the list 😊 -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Awesome!! Hope you enjoy, Donna! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
🤯
TBR Schmitt
Yay! Thanks, Cody! Hope you enjoy the reaction 😊 This one won our last War Poll! I’ve added Rocketeer to our list! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
It’s on the list! I think it did pretty well on the last poll too! -Sam
TBR Schmitt
Enjoy! 😊 -Sam
Jason Dolan
Also I'll say this, when you do a real life story about a real person you are sort of at the mercy of their real life. Which is why the second half is more downbeat.
Michael Rhine
This epic is in my top 3 of all time! I have seen it many times including in a theatre on a big screen, but it was so fun to watch along with the two of you. What I loved was you realizing you are watching something unique. You guys looked so confused at the overture but so many epics of the 20th century had them. I laughed at intermission as you ran to the bathroom but kept the camera roling . Remember, when it was shown in a movie theatre the first half would end. The curtain would close and people got up to stretch, get food and use the bathroom. Probably 10-15 minutes. Then the theatre would open the curtain lower the lights and the 2nd half overture would begin. As far as this film, it has influenced so many in Hollywood. Check out on YouTube Speilberg on Larence of Arabia. This film was the one that got him to become a filmmaker. Also, to see a making of check out this link... https://youtu.be/3UqI39QJD0M Finally, David Lean is a legend. He made epics,,, Bridge Over the River Kwai and Dr Zhivago. A few other non Lean epics from mid century to 80s include, Gandhi, The Man Who Would be King, The Ten Commandments, Spartacus and Amadeus. All highly acclaimed. As always, you guys are the best!
Mike LL
Great reaction to this cinematic masterpiece known for beautiful cinematography, location shooting, photographic composition, majestic musical score, and unforgettable acting. I've seen the movie before, and not gotten much out of it. Seeing it through your eyes it seems the meaning of this movie is the destructiveness of war. No matter your high ideals and motivations going into war, the descent into battle and bloodshed will corrupt anyone's soul. Which is a great illustration of what is going on half a world away today. Thanks for this one.
Will Zamora
Yes! Epic. Next, Ben-Hur (1959), pretty please.
Shaun2342!
Oh trust me, I feel you. I think Guinness definitley secured him some funding after Bridge on River Kwai. Quinn is in same boat. I was mainly just commenting how it's just another example of something that would never be ok today.
Birdie Num Num
speaking as a brown person, it really doesn't bother me(and seems quite a bit different than blackface and its origin). My parents and I loved The Party(with Peter Sellers playing an Indian), but now I feel like I'm not allowed to like it anymore since we've gotten rather hypersensitive as a society. And Anthony Quinn is a Mexican playing an Arab, so where do we draw the line on this sort of criticism. I wonder if Lean would've gotten funding without Guinness - he was far by the biggest name in the cast at the time. But give Lean some credit for casting unknown Sharif and making him a star(the first Arabic movie star).
Alex
4 minutes shorter? There's 10 episodes that are 30 minutes long? that's 5 hours. At any rate I'm with General Woundwort on this one. I dunno what this movie is but it better be better than sex or at least as good as Cobra Kai to warrant a 4 hour movie. This must have been a lot to edit.
Jason Dolan
i think one of the saving graces for LoA is that Guinness isn't in that much of the movie - the first time I saw this movie I didn't know he was in it and immediately I was like, WAITASEC, that's Obi Wan Kenobi.
Jason Dolan
I feel bad for you guys, I'm on my 4th pee break.
Shaun2342!
That said, watching Sam awkwardly hang out during the intermission while tbr pees is classic. Next time we expect a show dammit.
Shaun2342!
True. Man, I completely forgot about that movie. It was awful imo.
Shaun2342!
That 70mm print is glorious. Saw it that way too. The idea of watching it on a laptop hurts my heart.
Mike LL
Every big screen epic of the 50's and 60's had both an Overture and an Intermission. What is strange here is that there wasn't a big printed Overture on screen during the musical introduction. Going back to Gone With the Wind in '39 had them. Also too bad you didn't recognize Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal from his role as Obi-Won Kenobi in Star Wars, but that's OK because he is wearing heavy make-up in this movie and older in Star Wars.
Birdie Num Num
Also, David Lean directed one of the best romances of all time in Brief Encounter(1945). It's about as different as can be as Lawrence(very small scale, low budget) but just as impressive(and its only 90 mins). Doubt it would ever win a poll, but worth checking out. It's on HBOmax.
Jason Dolan
It's a little more forgivable than say Ridley Scott's Exodus Gods and Kings. Like, the 1960s, okay, they didn't really know better back then but 62 years later, they should have learned by then. I think we actually didn't really stop doing this until about a decade ago sadly. Scott's excuse at the time was that the only way he could get the movie financed was to have Bale play Moses. The worst will always be Short Circuit for me though, haha.
Jason Dolan
Haha, I guess you never figured out that Obi Wan Kenobi actor Alec Guinness played Feisal.
Birdie Num Num
I've seen in 70 mm, yeah the music didn't seem weird in this context and there was no title card on screen with the words intermission, just the music). Still I wonder why they kept it in in the home video releases etc, no real reason for it when viewing at home(and pads the run time a bit)
Birdie Num Num
As far as other epics, you may want to give Ben-Hur a shot(other reactors have reacted to it). And of course Bridge on the River Kwai(which also did well in the war poll). Maybe an "epic poll" could work? Of course there is debate on what constitutes an "epic."
Birdie Num Num
Thanks for reacting(and to all those voted for it). This film was a huge influence on the novel Dune(published 1965) and to Denis Villanueve, the director of the new adaptation of Dune.
Michael Soukup
I hope your tv is big! This is one film where seeing it on a big screen adds a lot to the experience I think.
Shaun2342!
oh.. one last thing.. obi wan in brownface is a little much and doesn't age well..
Shaun2342!
(2001 a space odyssey did the same thing)
Shaun2342!
I'm watching along with you and I just want to throw out there that the music at the beginning for four minutes was meant to accompany people at the theatre to warn them the movie was about to start- kind of like how the flash the lights before plays. It basically told people that they needed to get their asses in seats and gave them a 4 min heads up.
Future Boy
A quick bit of mental arithmetic reveals that Lawrence of Arabia is 4 minutes shorter than the entire first season of Cobra Kai. I might have to watch this one in shifts!
Duncan
Never seen the movie,did just watch the trailer to see if it might be to my liking and I don't think it is to my taste,so based on that and the astonishing 4 hours and 4 minutes video,I will give this one a miss,but I did just watch your review at the end,so I feel I have done my part 💪 and I also enjoyed the intermission antics,Sam will have to prepare a few jokes or sing a song next time to counter the awkwardness 😄 or just hide in the corner away from the camera Hope the stretching went well and you are both up and mobile again
Ellie Miller
Thank you for the very early releases!
f hf
One of those classics I've never gotten around to watching because of the runtime and other things but looks like I have an excuse to watch it now
Florian Meier
Nice to see you reacting tothis Classic from the 60' ... A true Classic and an Outstanding Performance of Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif !!! Another Great Movie with Omar Sharif is "Doctor Zhivago" from 1965 !! Another Classic ... A Great Movie with Alec Guiness is "The Ladykillers" from 1955
Donna Castellano
This is my favorite movie of all time. ❤️❤️
Jason Dolan
same
Jason Dolan
holy shit
Cody Downs
OMG, TBR & Sam: I must have missed the announcements -- as I did not see this coming. LAWRENCE/ARABIA is, IMO, in my Top 25 films ever made & set the bar for how epic biopics should be produced & one of the best experiences I've ever had watching a film in 70mm. (Sidenote: Spike Lee took inspiration from this film to make MALCOLM X) Looking forward to viewing this & the YouTube reaction and #StaySafeStayHealthy, guys! P.S. on a semi-related note -- for Summer 2022: may I recommend THE ROCKETEER? It is on Disney+ & I had the honor of seeing it in 70mm in 1991. It is a template for how to do a comic book film & big tentpole film. So much, the when Marvel Studios made the first CAPTAIN AMERICA in 2011, they hired the director of THE ROCKETEER: Joe Johnston
Smooticus
Dr Zhivago and Bridge on the River Kwai also needs to be on the list
Smooticus
Welp, I know what I'm watching tonight...
