Why Lawrence of Arabia Still Looks Like a Billion Bucks

Dive into the visual brilliance of Lawrence of Arabia in this cinematic deep dive!

Discover the secrets behind its iconic look, from the groundbreaking Super Panavision 70 technology to the masterful use of lenses and lighting. Learn how director David Lean and cinematographer Freddie Young crafted some of the most unforgettable images in film history.

If you're a fan of epic storytelling and stunning cinematography, you won't want to miss this exploration of why Lawrence of Arabia looks the way it does. Watch now and see the desert like never before!

[macrumpton]

50 years ago when I was in art school I was so impressed with the beauty of this film that when we were given the assignment to do a series of illustrations of a story, I chose this film and did a series of pen and ink illustrations of scenes of the movie. The composition of the scenes is flawless. Literally every frame a painting.

[sh]

I met Peter O'Toole in the UK on Hampstead Heath.. I was playing with a little boy (he was around 8 or 9, I was 12 at the time), on a fallen tree ... he then said "Come meet my daddy!), and a tall handsome man in a suit stepped from the shadows and shook my hand, saying "My name's Peter" ... I was gobsmacked, as I had only just seen The Last Emperor the night before.

What a wonderful memory .. RIP.

[Gallery]

As a still photographer, one thing has always* impressed me about Lawrence of Arabia: You can freeze the playback at almost any point and get a wonderfully composed still image. This is that very rare work where superb cinematography and superb photography simultaneously exist as one.

*Well, not actually "always". I was a kid when I saw it in the theater (when it was released) and wasn't thinking in "art" terms.

[TheHansoost]

Saw this absolutely stunning movie with a buddy when it first came out. when we arrived at the theatre, he stepped up to the wicket and said, "Two tickets, please, in the shade." He passed away a few years ago, but that line still kills me. I can't see any part of that film without that wonderful line coming to mind and making me smile.

[ianseaweed]

Years ago a mate who worked as a focus puller asked me if I wanted to go see Lawrence of Arabia with him on the big screen, I had loved the film on TV. The depth of perspective, colour, richness, it looked like some kind of three dimensional magic. Turned out it was a special invite only showing of the original 70mm film for a ‘This is Your Life’ presentation to Freddy Young, the cinematographer.

[chrisingram]

A lifetime ago I had the distinct pleasure of playing the restored director's cut in 70mm in a classic movie palace in 1989. I was able to watch it several times on the big screen. The clarity of every shot was unbelievable. David Lean set the bar so high for every film to follow. Nothing compares to the quality of that experience.

[iannoice]

Just watched it in a 2-day theater special for the first time last night.
Crazy how much better it is than many movies coming out today, especially in the theater.
One of my favorites now!

[darkranger]

The Desert IS the character of the movie. Its technically about Lawrence. But the story of his arch is about how the Desert is never changed, it only ever changes you.

The whole movie IS about the Desert. You did a great job expressing that

[JD_]

Watched it for the first time in theaters last night. WOW. I think that was the greatest film I’ve ever seen.

[tomrecane]

This film MUST be seen in a large theater. It’s simply gorgeous.

[lsdustyrhodes]

"The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts." ... one small scene. My all-time favorite film. Stunning cinematography, beautiful score, compelling story, historic epic, great acting. The absolute mastery of David Lean at the peak of his powers. ... Oh, and I shouldn't overlook Peter O'Toole's iconic performance, not to mention Omar Sharif, Jose Ferrer, and others. Again, not a single weak second in this masterpiece.

[caronstout]

The Golden Era Hollywood movies still look so good because you can see every penny of the budget on-screen, whether it's practical effects or contemporary special effects.

[TheVagolfer]

Sixty years later and it's still a disgrace that O'Toole did not win the Oscar for his performance.

[davidwright]

I watched it as a teenager (17) when it first came out. I was stunned. 62 years later, I still am. Now that's the mark of a classic in any medium.

[janandersen]

This and Barry Lyndon are the 2 most beautiful movies ever made, each in their own way, exteriors vs interiors.

[johnrussell]

I saw Lawrence of Arabia as a young teenager at the cinema with my father in 1963. It was flawless; sharp, vivid and spellbinding . We both left the cinema speechless.

[northhugr]

Watching Lawrence of Arabia restored in 4K now and it is absolutely magnificent. Great exploration into why it is so remarkable.

[RexKrueger]

This video made me watch Lawrence of Arabia. It was stunning. The length and scope of the film left me feeling like a different person.

[thetalentof]

Plenty of older movies like Lawrence of Arabia haven't aged thanks to being shot on celluloid and on-location or built sets to give it that expensive, cinematic and timeless quality. Further examples would be Alien, Ben-Hur, Unforgiven, Vertigo, The Thin Red Line, Horseman on the Roof, Blade Runner, Empire Strikes Back, A Walk in the Clouds, The Hunger, T2, Cliffhanger, Seven, Paris Texas, The Thing, Amelie, Legends of the Fall, Titanic, Blade, Malena, Crimson Tide, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Black Rain, The Natural and LOTR.

[Bash-]

Never has a film captured the beauty of deserts like this one.