Lawrence of Arabia - For anyone seeking insight into the

[burythehatchet]

relationship between the West and the Muslim world.

Its on right now on TCM (Turner Classic Movies)

[Swede]

1. I watched it a couple years ago.

I'd give it two thumbs up. Beautiful cinematography.

[Squeech]

2. It's based in part on Lawrence's own book

Seven Pillars of Wisdom, it's called.

Which he later admitted to friends was not terribly accurate-- "on thin ice" was the euphemism he used, I believe.

But it's a cool movie. Peter O'Toole rocks.

[kcwayne]

3. It doesn't deal with the most important aspect of West/Muslim relations

which is Israel.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. There was no Isreal.

[kcwayne]

7. I realize that, that is the point of my post.

You cannot understand the Arab world today if you do not account for Israel and the West's support of it. The total history of the West and Muslim lands extends over 1000 years and is marked by long term conflicts. But the modern Arab's thinking about the West is framed far more by the interrelationship with Israel than it is by Richard the Lionhearted or TE Lawrence.

[burythehatchet]

8. I think the real beauty of the film

lies in the personal relationships and the earning of trust.

[kcwayne]

9. I agree it is a great film, probably one of the 10 best films of all time

and it accomplishes it on many levels. I just don't think it adds a great deal of understanding to Westerners of Muslims in general and Arabs in particular as they operate today.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. I agree. I was just pointing out that the movie couldn't possibly

have dealt with Israel, since there was no Israel at the time.

But I do agree with you - Israel, and it's existence, is very important in terms of the mideast's relationship with the West.

Though I think even more important is the way that the West carved up the middle east in the early 1900s (late 1800s? My memory fails me) when oil was found, and the oil needing countries, like USA and England and etc. decided that the middle east had to be all countries, and no more loosely-aligned and free-flowing alliances, satrapies, and sheikdoms.

That carving up also caused a hell of a lot of problems, as did the incredible wealth it generated for the few sheiks that the West put into positions of power.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Brilliant movie! One of the all time best!!

[Bridget Burke]

6. I saw it twice in the original theatrical run.

And read 7 Pillars of Wisdom--quite challenging.

Along with the intellectual stimulation, the wonderful scenery & epic sweep--the movie also offers the young Peter O'Toole. And the young Omar Sharif.

[Rabrrrrrr]

11. I've twice had the chance ot see it on the big screen, with the film

edited and corrected and etc. (that is, cleaned up, not extra scene stuff) back in '95 and the late 90s.

I'd seen it on the TV (via video) a number of times before then, but Holy God, what a film it is on the Big Screen! WOW!