Lawrence of Arabia | Tragedy of the Conqueror | An Analysis of Identity, Themes, Symbolism & Imagery

Lawrence of Arabia tells the story of British Army Officer T.E. Lawrence and his involvement in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks during WWI. Thematically, Lawrence of Arabia is a profoundly psychological film, dealing with problems of emotion and identity, chronicling Lawrence’s rise and fall, as he becomes consumed by what William James called ‘the Beauty of War’, and consequently loses his identity. He is broken down, remade, and shaped into the image of the desert until he no longer originates from England but from the desert, and belongs to it. He becomes Lawrence of Arabia. In the end he is equal parts hero, monster, and victim. Essentially this film is a tragedy, not of the vanquished, but of the victorious conqueror.

Lawrence of Arabia is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. Being nominated for ten Oscars at the 35th Academy Awards in 1963, it won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama and the BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Outstanding British Film. In 1991, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In 1998, the American Film Institute placed it 5th on their 100 Years...100 Movies list of the greatest American films. In 2004, it was voted the best British film of all time in a Sunday Telegraph poll of Britain's leading filmmakers.

[derhafi]

That Mosaic shows Phaeton being stricken down by Zeus whilst he lost control over his father’s Sun-Chariot. He got too close to earth and so, according to Greek mythology, created the desert.

[seanmurphy]

T.E.Lawrence wrote in his book the Seven Pillars of Wisdom that ''All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”

Was awed by the image when I was 5; by the story when I was 20; and then by the history when I was 35. I rewatch this film over and over throughout my entire life !

[duanerackham]

I loved this movie and never caught the change from "none of my friends are murderers" to having literal murderers as friends.
Great essay!

[Wire.scientist]

That legendary entrance of Omar Sherieff is one of the iconic moments in the history of world cinema

[jreineke]

One thing I noticed is Lawrence and Sarif Ali are connected and mirrored in the story. At the well Lawrence shows compassion for the dead while Ali shows indifference and contempt but at the shelling of the Turk’s, it is Ali is who shows compassion and Lawrence who shows in difference and contempt. It is that point that the trade places. In the end Lawrence is lost to the desert While Ali transcends the Desert. It is Ali’s humbleness and restraint that saves him while it is Lawrences Hubris that destroys him.

[Gitfiddle]

A lightning in a bottle film. A masterclass of visual storytelling. You could edit out all the dialogue and still basically understand the crux of what’s happening. The desert never looked so beautiful than thru the eyes of David Lean and Fred Young.

[nantarat_pam]

FINALLY SOMEONE MAKE AN ANALYSIS VIDEO ON THIS MAGNIFICENT MOVIE THANK YOU SO MUCH

[thegunslinger]

Lawrence of Arabia, 2001 A Space Odyssey, The Dollars Trillogy, Dr Strangelove, Once Upon a Time in the West, Psycho, Spartacus, The Longest Day, The Dirty Dozen and others. The 60s was the golden age of Cinematic History.

[saadkhatib]

The final scene: As Lawrence passes by his previous source of obsession (the Bedouins and Arabs) the obsession that killed him from inside, he soon passes by his new source of obsession ( the motorcycles) the one that will eventually kill him from outside.

[srj]

Excellent analysis - loved the use of Lawrence's own biography throughout. Looking forward to working through some of your other content!

[nicholasharshbarger]

I find it interesting how much Dune by Frank Herbert bears a resemblance to this story.

[samandjoelwheemann]

Great analysis. The Suez moment pops off of the screen. A man on a motorcycle crying out loud the existential question formed by desert life and the inner desert of self, "who are you?" Its a brilliant moment built up by Lean and the silence of Lawrence is the devestating answer. After the desert has up ended his idealism, he is no longer certain of what he believes or who he is. He can only hear the question but cannot respond. He is at a crossroads where the modern marvel of the Suez crosses the ancient truth of the desert. What a mind blowing scene.

[noco]

He went towards the jungle looking for adventure, but found the Heart of Darkness instead.

[stevenbrown]

Modern viewers look at O'Tooles performance and say, "Thats a little over the top." However, taking into account the director and the subject matter I can't say there was any better way to do it. Peter O'Toole is a entire class of acting unto himself.

[TheObviousMetaverse]

This was truly brilliant. Moving analysis. I think the element of grandiosity and extreme Narcissism that was the shadow of Lawrence's genius as caught in the film, does not even begin to qualify the mania that possessed him- both visionary and self-destructive- maybe even subconsciously the heroic need he played out, was far more imperialistic than he could have seen. This is one of the greatest movies we will ever see. You captured the journey, and the arc of transformation here brilliantly. There is something of Hamlet in Lawrence. And Arabia his Parents. How powerful is O'Toole's ability to channel the crestfallen Lawrence, unable to live in the contradictions his journey laid bare. Thank you again for this amazing work you present here.

[artistaprimus]

Ive come to appreciate this movie after watching it again and again as the best film ever made. No CGI, shot on location, great story, director, actors. A work of art.

[Pincer]

I always thought T.E. Lawrence was a bit of a tragic figure, wrestling with deep insecurities and trying to prove himself too hard, ending up as a wandering soul with even more doubt ind possibly remorse. This analysis sheds a whole new light on the man, at least for me. Thank you kindly.

[blacknapalm]

*Nothing shatters one's illusions more expediently than being buggered in a Turkish prison*

[Matz]

Lawrence did not capture Damascus, as the film shows. He was under arrest at the time, for being out of uniform. Detachments of the Australian Light Horse captured the city.