Lawrence of Arabia was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry. When analyzing this film it must be taken into account that the story is based on a true story. David Lean ensures that the reality of the story including the acting be kept on a tightrope. The opportunity for extravagance could be had at any moment if not watched carefully. The ability to make the meaning of the story be lost in the battles could very easily have been done, but what is most important about this film is that there is a very human story being told. Lawrence’s identity is built in the midst of war while seeking to unite the Arab tribes in battle, and when there are no more battles to fight he becomes merely another man in the world. This can be seen by the contrast of the opening and closing shots. From the beginning we know that Lawrence dies at home and at the end of the film we see that a part of him on the inside has died. It is miraculous that he has survived this whole journey and yet does not see the true peace that is dreamed of and worked for come to fruition. The people are merely in a bigger palace.
The film itself is crafted in a manner that the world appears big, spacious and never ending and then Lean begins to bring the world more and more into focus with every obstacle overcome in the world. But the issue becomes that as external battles are won, internal ones arise. And these issues are not easily won with dynamite and bullets. They need distance and time in order for the fruits to be truly seen and tasted if they ever are. The enclosure reveals the turmoil that is experienced by a person who lives to do battle. They begin to do things that are against their nature, they become something more and often less than they could’ve ever thought to be. We see this in Lawrence as he goes from a man who believes in nonviolence to one who slaughters every man he comes across. The battles are won on in the desert but the war has been lost and even abandoned and we see this in Lawrence’s choices after being tortured.
Lawrence of Arabia ranks as one of the greatest films ever created because it hits on all cylinders. The acting is truthful and heightened to the degree of war, the imagery, composition and symbolism serve the story with an impactful yet subtle touch and the story which is based around the battle for territory in the Middle East becomes one that is easily understood. Not only because the plot is well crafted, but also because they story can be felt from all sides. And when a story allows others to walk in the shoes of those that they don’t know the opportunity for something special to happen occurs, and this is the case with this picture.
