Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 3.00pm, Saturday, TG4

“Of course it hurts; the trick is not showing that it hurts”

More than sixty years on and David Lean’s magni cent yarn remains breath-taking in its ambition and execution. Debutant Peter O’toole is superb in the title role. With his bleached-blond hair and piercing blue eyes, O’toole looked every inch the screen hero, moving Noël Coward to waspishly remark, ‘’if he had been any prettier, it would have been called Florence of Arabia’’. In addition to O’toole, there are dynamic performances from Alec Guinness (as Feisal) Anthony Quinn, Anthony Quayle and Omar Sharif. Freddie Young’s photography (the lm was shot in 65mm), Maurice Jarre’s score and Lean’s direction beautifully serve Robert Bolt’s magni cent screenplay. Few who see this lm will forget the sweeping desert vistas, a particular favourite being Omar Sharif emerging from the horizon to confront those using his well (the very rst scene the actor shot for the lm). And the awesome sights are matched by the sounds, notably Feisal’s creaking tent. Based on Lawrence’s autobiography, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Lawrence of Arabia took two years to complete, much of it in searing desert heat, at a cost of $13 million. Filming began in Jordan before switching to Spain and Morocco. Original choices for the lead role included Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando but the part passed to Albert Finney before untried O’toole nally got the nod. The fee to play Lawrence was $12,500, compared to the $250,000 which Anthony Quinn received for playing Auda. Omar Sharif’s role (for which he was paid $8,000) was originally earmarked for Horst Bucholz. Amazingly, for a three-anda-half-hour lm, there is not one female speaking role. Lawrence of Arabia was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning seven. Amazingly both O’toole and Bolt missed out.

So it goes in Hollywood.