HOLLYWOOD WILL NEVER
make another movie where the heroes are Saudi terrorists, but let's be glad they made this one. Lawrence of Arabia describes the gradual corruption of a brilliant, empty man.
For examples, take the two scenes that best demonstrate Lawrence's tragic change. First, the moment where Lawrence and the arabs cross the Nefo desert to take a strategic location by surprise. (It goes without saying that no one can cross the Nefo desert and survive. It would be suicide!) But somehow, of course, Lawrence crosses the desert and survives.
That is not the interesting part. The interesting part is that when they reach the other side of the desert, they find that one of the arab men has fallen behind and will surely die. This doesn't suit our hero Lawrence, who wants to turn back and attempt to rescue him. Ali, Lawrence's trusty sidekick, pleads with his master, saying "You'll surely die!" and "It is written."
Suspenseful, isn't it? Lawrence does go back and, at the very last second, returns with missing man in arms, saving his life and becoming a local hero. At this point he starts wearing the distinctive arab garb and assumes his full title, Lawrence of Arabia.
Second, and much later in the long film, there is the decision that Lawrence of Arabia makes while leading his army to Damascus. He happens upon a column of retreating Turkish soldiers (the enemy) taking their wounded back to their homeland. He and Ali stand atop a sand dune and debate their course of action. Again, Ali pleads with his master, saying "Damascus, Orrence. Damascus." and "Go around!" But again, Lawrence of Arabia brushes aside the advice of the faithful Ali. Instead he cries out, "No prisoners!" and rushes down into the valley, leading his army to slaughter the wounded.
Why does he do this? Does not Lawrence of Arabia have a soul?
Hmmm . . . Either the war and desert living have taken a tremendous toll on our Lawrence of Arabia, and by the time he meets the Turks he has lost his moral compass, or Lawrence never really had any motivations in the first place. I think both are possible, especially considering the numerous scenes depicting Lawrence sitting motionless and gazing inscutably into the distance. (What is he thinking? Is he thinking?) But, given how the movie starts and ends, and what we know about Lawrence, I think he is just a big fat empty hero, who performs incredible acts for their own sake like the mountain climber who climbs "because its there." I doubt there's a thought in his head apart from the incredible faith in himself and suicidal impulses. And, given our current situation, that's too bad. We are, again, part of an army wandering around Iraq, following a leader guided by nothing but providence. Needless to say, this movie didn't have a happy ending.
Nutritional Equivalent:
A great big steak at the old school steakhouse, covered in falafel
