A classic

I already saw this movie but, since it was available on Netflix, I was quite eager to check it out again. Well, even though I already saw it a second time a few years ago, I was actually amazed by how little I actually remembered the damned thing which is rather odd for a classic of this magnitude. Anyway, from all the huge classics directed by David Lean, it is easily and by far my favorite one. I mean, of course, I did enjoy ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Brief Encounter’ and even ‘Doctor Zhivago’ but this movie is however from a different level. First of all, visually speaking, it is Lean’s most thrilling epic. For example, during his first trip in the desert, you have this amazing paranomic shot of the desert and it was just mesmerizing. It was a long static shot of the desert and, at some point, you finally see a camel rider coming from afar and coming slowly towards you. In this very shot, in my opinion, you actually had the real essence of this movie. Indeed, it was slow but also very meditative and so beautiful to look at. Of course, I shouldn't forget to mention Peter O’Toole who was just brilliant in this star-making performance and ever since I saw him in this movie, I became intrigued by this actor and I try to check his other movies whenever I get the opportunity. Somehow, I also felt a connection with this fasinating character torn apart between two cultures which maybe had to do with the fact that I’m half-French and half-Dutch. Eventually, the only critic I might have was the fact that, except for Omar Sharif, the other major Arab characters (Prince Faisal and Auda Abu Tayi) were played by Alec Guiness and Anthony Quinn who were obviously not Arab at all but, fortunately, it didn't ruin the whole thing though. Anyway, to conclude, I really loved this flick, it is a massive epic, a classic, and a must see for any decent movie buff.

9/10