Lawrence of Arabia
In 2004, Lawrence of Arabia was voted the best British film ever made.
Key words
- Driven by: caused or influenced by something or someone
The company is driven by their shareholders demand for profits.
- Fuel: to increase a feeling or a type of behaviour or make it stronger
The rapid promotion of the director's son has itself fuelled resentment within the company.
- Compile: to collect information from different places and arrange it in a book, report, or list
We're compiling some facts and figures for a documentary on the subject.
- Deem: to consider or judge something in a particular way
The area has now been deemed safe.
- Chronicle: to make a record or give details of something
The book chronicles the writer's coming to terms with his illness.
- Epic: a film, poem, or book that is long and contains a lot of action, usually dealing with a historical subject
It's one of those old Hollywood epics with a cast of thousands.
Read the article to find the answers
- What forced the growth of Arab nationalism during the First World War?
- Who was T.E. Lawrence?
- What did the United States Library of Congress deem the film to be?
- What does the film chronicle?
World War I
Protestant England's early diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire were largely driven by conflicts with Catholic Spain following the Reformation. Centuries later, Britain and the Ottoman Empire were allied against Napoleon's ambition to create a Jewish State in Palestine, but the Ottoman Empire, which controlled much of the Middle East, sided with Germany against Britain during the First World War.
The Ottoman attempt to impose Turkish cultural and political dominance in Arabia forced the growth of Arab nationalism. The executions of Arab nationalist leaders by the Ottoman authorities further fuelled Arab anger and led to the Arab Revolt. With the help of British officers such as T.E. Lawrence, Arab nationalists joined the British in the fight against the Ottomans.
T. E. Lawrence
Lawrence was a British Army intelligence officer in Cairo, where he spent more than a year compiling a handbook on the Turkish army. He urged his superiors to support the Amir of Mecca's Arab nationalist revolt against the Turks and joined the Amir's army as a political liaison officer. Soon after, he began organising the Arab uprising, leading the hit-and-run guerrilla warfare behind Turkish lines, becoming a mythical figure in his own lifetime.
Lawrence of Arabia - official trailer - presented in 70mm
Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. In 1991, it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress. In 1999, the British Film Institute named it the third greatest British film. In 2004, it was voted the best British film in The Sunday Telegraph's poll of Britain's leading filmmakers.
The film is a 1962 epic biographical adventure drama based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and his 1926 book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The film stars Peter O'Toole as Lawrence and Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal, the Amir of Mecca. The film chronicles Lawrence's experiences in the Ottoman provinces of the Hejaz and Greater Syria during the First World War and his involvement with the Arab National Council. Most of the film's characters are based on historical figures, but some scenes are heavily fictionalised.
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- What do you know about Arabia before the First World War?
- What do you know about Arabia after the First World War?
- Are their any famous military leaders from your country?
- What do you think is the best film ever made?
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