"LAWRENCE is too emotionally overpowering for critical reservations. You're captivated from the start."
- Desson Thomson, The Washington Post
(writing about the Feb. 3, 1989 restoration and re-release)

7 Oscars, 5 Golden Globes, 4 BAFTA awards and a Donatello. Internationally recognized as the Best Picture of 1963, and arguably ever. The summer classic returns to AFI Silver in glorious 70mm.

British Colonel T.E. Lawrence leads the Arab revolt in World War I's Middle East, though sheik Anthony Quinn still grouses, "He is not perfect." As Lawrence, then relative unknown Peter O'Toole created one of cinema's great enigmatic character studies, earning the first of his seven Best Actor nominations (he holds the bittersweet record for almost-wins). Featuring spectacular action and cinematography that demands large-scale viewing, plus Omar Sharif's English-language debut.

DIR David Lean; SCR Robert Bold, based on the writings of T.E. Lawrence; PROD Robert A. Harris and Sam Spiegel. In English, Arabic, and Turkish with English subtitles. UK, 1962, color, 227 min. RATED PG