Sykes-Picot Agreement in Lawrence of Arabia

The Sykes-Picot Agreement was a bilateral treaty between France and England dividing most of the Arab Middle East (what was then part of the Ottoman empire) between them. Sharif Husayn ibn Ali previously made an agreement with England which the Sykes-Picot agreement failed to respect, particularily in regards to Palestine. Clip from the famous film Lawrence of Arabia. For educational purposes only.

[sdr]

This is one of the greatest burns in movie history:

"If we've told lies, you've told half-lies and a man who tells lies - like me - merely hides the truth. But a man who tells half-lies has forgotten where he put it."

[classics]

"But then, of course, he is almost an Arab." What a heartbreaking line. Faisal came to believe in Lawrence so much and see him as one of his own, and now feels utterly betrayed.

[stacksofHighSociety]

It never ceases to amaze me that Im watching Alec Guiness, Claude Rains, and Peter O'Toole in the same scene.
A ridiculous amount of talent, performing some of the best lines, from what is perhaps the greatest screenplay ever written.

This is just, too much.

[robp]

Guiness is amazing in this scene. Even after he leaves you can still feel his presence in the room. Then there is Raines. He manages to put more venom in a quiet tone than the deadliest viper. You think his character is a pleasant fellow, but you suddenly realize that he is a really terrible person. Raines does it like no one else.

[MrCrchandler]

One of the historical inaccuracies that still doesn't mar a great film. The real Lawrence knew all about the Sykes-Picot Treaty almost from the beginning from his stint with the military intelligence bureau in Cairo. . He knew Sykes very well, in fact. Faisal learned of the treaty from Lawrence, because Lawrence wanted to make its terms moot. He wanted Faisal to carry the Arab Revolt north of the Hejaz and into present day Jordan, Syria, Israel and Iraq in the belief that if the Arabs themselves could drive out the Turks that Britain and France could exert no claim on the territory. The Arabs would, as it were, plant their flag first.Technically, in telling Faisal of the agreement he was committing an act of treason.

[steventisdale]

Claude Raines was truly one of the greatest character actors in cinema history. He absolutely disappears into this role. And it's not the first time.

[juniatapark]

We often hear that people in the Middle East have been fighting for a thousand years. But isn't that true of everyone? Europe has thousands of years of wars and conflicts. India, China, the Aztecs, the peoples in Africa? Who hasn't had conflict? Dismissing the history of the Middle East is a way of dismissing the humanity of the people there.

[robertthomas]

One of the many brilliant things about this scene is how much is conveyed through non verbal communication- just the movement of their eyes and Lawrence’s stance when he is talking to Dryden embodies his moral dilemma, his shame and guilt

[icarus]

Claude Rains was one of the greatest actors who ever lived. Insane amount of acting talent in this movie.

[udeychowdhury]

How very sad and unfair for other filmmakers, who dazed from wonderment at the visual aspect of this picture, begin to dimly realise that the more immortal aspect of this masterpiece, may be the screenplay.

[PhilMoskowitz]

Prince Faisal leaving burn marks left and right! This is excellent written dialog, and it's perfectly performed by Sir Alec Guinness.

[DoooBeeDoooBeeDooo]

All this while there are busts of Roman Conquerers in the backdrop.
The film's a treasure chest of subliminal winks.

[grassic]

"He does it better than you, General, but then, of course, he's almost an Arab."

[wisebee]

Time to dust this off and re-post Donna O. - the Sykes-Picot treaty is directly responsible for the current horrors unfolding in Iraq. Excellent description!

[Bulgarian_Coastline]

Claude Rains is a legendary actor. His performances were amazing, some quite famous as well. It's such a shame that he's largely forgotten. He's right there with the big male names from the 30s and 40s.

[leftcoaster]

I'm so glad Rains got to have one final amazing performance. It's his subtlety and quiet manner, yet he is like a viper he can strike when you least expect it.

[BanjoLuke]

Sykes-Picot is one of those things everyone should know of.
It is almost the very essence of cynical, colonial power play.
Writing in 2023, I wonder what TEL would have said about rulers from that region owning Newcastle United, Manchester City, PSG and great swathes of the most valuable property portfolios in all major capital cities.

[robertoacevedo]

"In the British Interest" Then that dismissive little chuckle the king lets out is brilliant. This scene is awesome.

[EtzEchad]

Actually, Lawrence knew about the treaty very early. (He was an intelligence officer after all.)
He told Faisal about it, and committed treason by doing so.

[hypercomms]

Excellent writing and excellent acting ...