Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 1080p Remastered BluRay HEVC EAC3-SARTRE + Extras

This sweeping, highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole, in the role that made him a star). After a prologue showing us Lawrence's ultimate fate, we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer, Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert, he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif, making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter: Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness) dismisses him as yet another "desert-loving Englishman," and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad.

Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery, Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). After successfully completing his mission, Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies, as represented by Gen. Allenby (Jack Hawkins) and Dryden (Claude Rains), who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa, Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey (Jose Ferrer). In the heat of the next battle, a wild-eyed Lawrence screams "No prisoners!" and fights more ruthlessly than ever.

Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence's own self-published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source, although some of the characters are composites, and many of the "historical" incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making (you can see O'Toole's weight fluctuate from scene to scene), the movie, lensed in Spain and Jordan, ended up costing a then-staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean's director's cut was seen: 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release, and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration, at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.

Sample Clip (Download file for actual quality)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B77BuxFtBmKtdjF4Y2hjZWRCRnc



Blu Ray Extras (from the 50th Anniversary Edition)


• Peter O'Toole Revisits Lawrence of Arabia - The actor recalls landing the role of T.E. Lawrence, preparing for the part, his relationships with and thoughts on various cast and crew, life on and anecdotes from the set, his own crafting of one of the film's most iconic scenes, his thoughts on the film's themes and scope, the life of T.E. Lawrence, editing, not winning the Best Actor Oscar, the film's legacy, and more. (720p, 21:07)

• Making of Lawrence of Arabia - A high-quality documentary that recalls the life of T.E. Lawrence, the marriage of Lawrence's story and film, the initial film discussions and how David Lean came to be attached to the project, the process of assembling a script, casting, costuming, working in the desert and scouting desert locations, the challenges of the shoot, Lean's exacting ways, anecdotes from the set, cinematography and the process of crafting some of the film's most difficult scenes, Sam Spiegel's arrest during the shoot, themes and character arcs, the editing process, scoring the film, the film's release, its restoration, and its legacy. (480p, 1:01:29)

• A Conversation with Steven Spielberg - The acclaimed director recalls his first screening, its later impact on his life and career, his fascination with how the film was put together, his reaction to the core story, the picture's artistic licenses and the benefits thereof in this instance, his first meeting with David Lean, his role in the restoration, a unique "live commentary" experience with Lean, and the positives of the film's "natural" filmmaking techniques. (480p, 8:49)

• Maan, Jordan: The Camels Are Cast - A vintage piece looking at the camels' work, role in the film, and life on the set. (480p, 2:00)

• In Search of Lawrence - Another vintage featurette that examines the difficult process of shooting in an unforgiving desert. (720p, 5:00)

• Romance of Arabia - A short vintage feature that looks at the history and natural beauty of one of the world's most fascinating and historically important regions. The piece follows to briefly look at the making of the film. (720p, 4:37)

• Wind, Sand and Star - The Making of a Classic (1970): Cast and crew reflect on the film's great success, intercut with making-of footage and voiceover narration covering the difficulties of the shoot. The piece recycles some material from other vintage featurettes. (480p, 4:32)

• New York Premiere - Brief news reel footage of the picture's premiere. (480p, 1:08)

• Advertising Campaigns: A piece that offers quick overviews of the film's advertisement campaigns from its various releases and cuts over the years. (480p, 4:51)

• ENG, DUT, FRE, GER, ITA, POR, SPA subtitles for extras