Lawrence of Arabia Film Synopsis with Commentary Jordan Sudermann
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Lawrence of Arabia Film Synopsis with Commentary Jordan Sudermann Film times are approximate and keyed to 2-disc DVD version. Synopsis: Commentary: Overture/Credits/Death/Memorial - 0:00:00-00:09:32 The overture plays over a blank screen. T. E. Lawrence rides his ● Lawrence died in this manner in May of 1935. motorcycle on a small road in England. He swerves to miss two ● Generals Allenby and Murray appear in the film, and were bicyclists and crashes. After his memorial service, several figures actual British officers during WWI. offer commentary on his life: Col. Brighton, Gen. Allenby, Jackson ● Col. Brighton is a fictional figure, representing other British Bentley, and Gen. Murray. An unnamed officer offers the only officers involved in the campaign in the Middle East. unequivocal support of Lawrence. ● Jackson Bentley is a fictionalization of Lowell Thomas, an American reporter who helped Lawrence become a celebrity. ● The unnamed officer will reappear late in the film. Cairo/Interview With Murray & Dryden - 00:09:32-00:17:43 Lawrence is working on maps in a basement office for the British ● Mr. Dryden is a fictional figure, representing a number of military in Cairo. He learns of Bedouin attacks on a Turkish British officials interested in the Middle East during the war. stronghold from an Arabic newspaper; notes that most of the British ● The Arab Revolt has already started in Arabia. The Arab are ignoring this aspect of the war effort. Lawrence is summoned to fighters are unsuccessful in taking Medina from the Turks, meet with General Murray. In meeting with Gen. Murray and Mr. which adds to Gen. Murray’s skepticism. Dryden, Lawrence is assigned to act as liaison for the Arab Bureau in ● There is no mention in this scene or the entire film that Emir Arabia, and to find out the intentions of Prince Faisal. Murray is Hussein of Mecca, the father of Prince Faisal, has any other reluctant to send him, as he does not see the importance of the sons participating in the war effort. Middle East in the war, but Dryden convinces him. ● There is no indication in this scene that Lawrence has been in the Middle East, despite his experience researching his dissertation (on the architecture of Crusader castles) and working on archaeological sites in Syria. Lawrence’s first meeting with Faisal wasn’t even his first trip to the Middle East in connection with the Arab Revolt. He first had ventured out as part of efforts to gauge the progress of the revolt in its early stages. ● The Arab Revolt started in June of 1916, and by October, with lack of success at Medina, prospects were looking bleak. ● In this sequence we get our first understanding of Lawrence as a character: doesn’t always respect authority (behavior in officer’s club, saluting Murray), tests physical limits (putting out match with fingers). Arabia/Well/Brighton/Faisal - 00:17:43-00:43:38 Lawrence travels through Arabia to find Faisal, accompanied by a ● This sequence enforces the notion that Lawrence is guide named Tafas. Tafas is a Hazimi, and is shot by Sharif Ali, a inexperienced in Arabia, but also establishes him as culturally Harith, because he drank from his well. Sharif Ali offers his assistance open and engaging. to Lawrence, but Lawrence refuses. Travelling alone, Lawrence runs ● The altercation between Tafas and Sharif Ali highlights tribal into Col. Brighton just outside of Faisal’s camp. Turkish forces begin rivalries in Arabia, and brings Lawrence to comment that so an air raid of Faisal’s army. The raid causes many of Faisal’s men to long as the Arabs continue such rivalries they will be “a little desert, and the remaining to retreat south towards Yenbo. During people, a silly people - greedy, barbarous, and cruel.” this retreat outcasts Daud and Farraj first appear. ● Sharif Ali is a fictionalized character, perhaps a combination of guides/leaders Lawrence encountered during the revolt. Interview with Faisal/Lawrence’s Plan - 00:43:38-00:57:45 Faisal, Brighton, Lawrence and a servant/Quranic reader meet in ● The film simplifies the events leading up to the taking of Faisal’s tent. Sharif Ali joins them. They discuss strategy, with Aqaba significantly. The British and Faisal were far more Lawrence impetuously injecting his opinion despite Brighton having interested in taking Aqaba than Lawrence, who feared that a told him to keep quiet. The Arabs must continue south to Yenbo if joint venture on Aqaba would provide the British with a they want the British to supply them; this far north they must take foothold in the region, and thus would risk an independent Aqaba. Faisal demands more guns and artillery. The Arabs want to Arabia. press north in order to reach Damascus, which holds the promise of ● Thematically, this scene is more important for showing an independent Arabia. The British would rather focus on the Suez Lawrence’s divided loyalties, and his interest in supporting Canal, which does not interest Faisal. Lawrence feels that the Arabs the Arabs in their quest for independence, rather than for should continue fighting as they are accustomed, rather than adapt any historical accuracy or inaccuracy. to European styles of warfare, and that to fall back on Yenbo would be a mistake. In a private conference with Faisal, Lawrence suggests that Faisal push north and deny the British control of Arabia. It is suggested that to take Aqaba would require the English or a miracle. Frustrated, Lawrence spends the night outside in the desert thinking. His plan: to take Aqaba with a small group of men by crossing the Nefud desert and attacking it by land. This would forestall the need for British involvement by sea, as the large guns at Aqaba face the water and are difficult to turn around. Faisal assents to let Lawrence lead this charge, although Lawrence does not inform Brighton of his departure. In the meantime, Faisal and the rest of his men will fall back on Yenbo. Crossing the Nefud - 00:57:45-01:22:54 Lawrence and Sharif Ali lead their group across the Nefud. Daud and ● Daud and Farraj both appear in Lawrence’s account in The Farraj, who have secretly followed the men, are found out, but Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Lawrence takes them on as his servants. While crossing the worst ● Lawrence going back for Gasim may not have been as part of the desert, Lawrence realizes that Gasim has gotten off his well-received as presented in the film. camel and lost the group. Despite Sharif Ali’s insistence, Lawrence goes back and successfully saves Gasim. Auda Abu Tayi - 01:22:54-01:46:48 Sharif Ali and Lawrence discuss Lawrence’s name, family. Lawrence’s ● Lawrence’s father gave up his inheritance to live with his mother wasn’t his father’s wife. Sharif Ali suggests that Lawrence lover, Lawrence’s mother. thus gets to choose his name, and insists that the best is the one the ● Auda Abu Tayi is a real tribal leader who joined the Arab Arabs have adopted: El-Aurens. Revolt. Other tribal groups not mentioned in the film also joined. Sharif Ali burns Lawrence’s uniform and fits him with Arab robes. While trying out his new clothing, Lawrence is found by Auda Abu Tayi, head of the Howeitat. The men had been drinking at his wells. ● In actuality, Lawrence was given Arab robes by Faisal in order Auda Abu Tayi initially threatens them, but then is won over with to blend in better. This sequence does provide a primary their connection to Faisal. He invites them to feast with him, at which example of Lawrence’s showmanship, however. point they play on his pride to convince him to join them in taking ● Lawrence did execute a man in order to prevent tribal Aqaba with promises of gold and honor. warfare, but it was not Gasim, and happened earlier than presented in the film. The larger group of warriors heads out. In a camp above Aqaba, the night before the attack, Lawrence must execute a man who killed a Howeitat in order to avoid a blood feud. The man he must execute turns out to be Gasim, the man he saved from the Nefud. Aqaba/Sinai - 01:46:48-END OF DISC 1-00:08:00 Arab forces take Aqaba. The town is looted. Auda Abu Tayi is upset ● The attack at Aqaba is more exciting in the film than it was in that they only have paper money rather than gold. Lawrence real life. The entire sequence starting with Lawrence meeting promises to bring back more gold after he goes to Cairo to tell the Faisal to the taking of Aqaba is greatly streamlined, and does British that they’ve taken Aqaba. not reflect the other skirmishes between Arab forces and the Turks, Lawrence’s additional travels/expeditions, and initial Lawrence, Daud, and Farraj cross the Sinai to reach Cairo. Daud is strikes on the Turkish railway. killed when he falls into some quicksand. Lawrence and Farraj reach ● Aqaba is taken early July 1917. an abandoned post on the canal, but see a motorcyclist on the other side. Cairo/First Interview with Allenby/Intermission - 00:08:00-00:28:20 Lawrence and Farraj arrive in Cairo. Lawrence brings Farraj into the ● Allenby replaced Murray after Murray failed to take Gaza officer’s club and orders lemonades. As both are dressed in Arab twice. robes, there is controversy over their appearance until Lawrence ● This scene is important in showing the impact of the war on informs Brighton that they’ve (the Arabs) taken Aqaba.