Lawrence of Arabia is a work of majestic cinematic beauty, with stunning images, glorious music and magnificent performances. An epic portrait of an extraordinary man and an extraordinary time, it's the saga of one T. E. Lawrence in his Middle East adventures during World War I, when the region was already a cauldron of political, ideological and economic conflicts. The film even played a role in shaping the way that page of history and that part of the world were considered, becoming an integral part of the clash of civilizations that continues to haunt us today.

Lawrence of Arabia is also a portrait of will and compulsion, qualities not only true of the title character but also of director David Lean, who would go to excruciating lengths to realize his visions.

It took also will and compulsion to restore Lawrence of Arabia. Much of the original materials had been damaged and the film was cut shortly after its initial release, some versions with over 30 minutes excised. Archivists Robert Harris and Jim Katz took up the film's restoration under the supervision of Lean and original editor Anne Coates. They put together a crack team of film professionals, conducting extensive research and going over more than four tons of image and sound materials. The project cost over US$600,000 and took over two years to complete, not only returning the film to its sight and sound glory but also adding back scenes excluded from the original, some with new dialogues recorded by the film's actors.

Screening courtesy of British Film Institute and David Lean Foundation

6/6

(Sun)

12:30pm *

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

18/6

(Fri)

7:30pm

Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive

* Intermission: Discussion with Sam Ho