I saw it several years back, on a decent-sized TV set, and was impressed. I really feel that I'm not getting it all until I see a showing in a huge cinema, like they used to do at Detroit's Fox Theater.

@Satch_the_man : I've never seen it in a movie theater, but my tv screen is very big, which helps me see it as I imagine it might be in a theater.

My favorite shot in the movie is when Lawrence and the Arab tribes assault on Aquaba is being filmed from overhead. It's just astonishing!

I feel left out because I still haven't seen it yet. I probably will since a scene from the movie is in Prometheus.

@rarebreed : One of favorite scenes in Prometheus is David learning to look and talk like Peter O'Toole's characterization of T.E. Lawrence.

Maria Kelly: Knock yourself out. I'll keep waiting for when a real cinema here shows the film.

@PhelpsFan said:

@rarebreed : One of favorite scenes in Prometheus is David learning to look and talk like Peter O'Toole's characterization of T.E. Lawrence.

Why was that your favorite scene?

Can you imagine what an epically TERRIBLE film Lawrence of Arabia would be if made today? It would be filled with CGI battle sequences, a lot of heroic posturing, and a nonsensical plot. Think...John Carter of Earth, not Mars. Or maybe like that Alexander movie with waaay too much focus on homoerotic overtones.

@catmydogs : You are so right! One of my main complaints about Hollywood now is this obsession with remakes. Two cases in point: Ben-Hur and The Day The Earth Stood Still. Some movies are perfect the first time they're made: All About Eve, Ben-Hur, Twelve O'Clock High, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Lawrence Of Arabia, Robin Hood, among others. Have respect for these classics and leave them alone!

And as for Alexander, WTF was Oliver Stone thinking? Thinking about the scene involving Val Kilmer and a boy at a party still makes me nauseas. And let's not forget that this movie suffers from what I like to call "Inexplicable Irish Accent Syndrome".

Ben-Hur (Heston) was actually a remake of a silent version that was quite good, too. But your point is valid, that most sequels just aren't as good as the original, rare exceptions aside (His Girl Friday, Magnificent Seven, Maltese Falcon).

I really don't understand why anyone tries to remake an established classic, like they did with Magnificent Ambersons or Rear Window a while back. That is totally setting oneself up for a big fall. At least do something different with similar themes (all these superhero movies), or do a vaguely disguised reboot (cough Force Awakens cough).

@rarebreed : I think it was because the person David chose to emulate so the humans would feel a bit more comfortable around him was (as Peter O'Toole played him) acted a little bit like an android. I can't complain about it too much since Lawrence Of Arabia is my second favorite movie of all time.

@catmydogs : The actor who played Ben-Hur in the silent version, Ramon Navarro, was my younger brother Sean's Godfather.

@PhelpsFan said:

@rarebreed : I think it was because the person David chose to emulate so the humans would feel a bit more comfortable around him was (as Peter O'Toole played him) acted a little bit like an android. I can't complain about it too much since Lawrence Of Arabia is my second favorite movie of all time.

I never watched Lawrence of Arabia so I have nothing to compare O'Tool's performance to. I think he won an Oscar or was nominated for that role though.

O'toole never won an Oscar. Hard to believe, considering some of the inferior actors who did. His last nomination was about a decade ago, several years before he died.

@catmydogs said:

O'toole never won an Oscar. Hard to believe, considering some of the inferior actors who did. His last nomination was about a decade ago, several years before he died.

Oh okay. I know that the movie got several nominations and won. I just figured O'Tool was a part of that.

@PhelpsFan said:

The actor who played Ben-Hur in the silent version, Ramon Navarro, was my younger brother Sean's Godfather.

Ramon Novarro is my favourite Silent films actor. I was just working on TMDb threads/posts (on the 1925 Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ board, as well as on Mr. Novarro's own board) mentioning him earlier today! Did your family live in the Hollywood area, Maria?

As for Lawrence of Arabia, indeed, it's a terrific film.