Columbia - The Making of Lawrence of Arabia (2000) Part 2 More Special Features

David Lean's Academy Award–winning account of T.E. Lawrence's efforts to unify nomadic tribes against the Ottoman Turks during World War I is equal parts war film and existential romance, as the arid expanses of the desert draw the British scholar and adventurer into their beckoning, soul-stirring emptiness. Due to his knowledge of the native Bedouin tribes, British Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) is sent to Arabia to find Prince Faisal (Alec Guinness) and serve as a liaison between the Arabs and the British in their fight against the Turks. With the aid of native Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif), Lawrence rebels against the orders of his superior officer and strikes out on a daring camel journey across the harsh desert to attack a well-guarded Turkish port. Overlaid with Maurice Jarre's unforgettable score, a magnificent cast — including Alec Guinness, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Claude Rains, and of course Peter O'Toole, who became an instant star as the eccentric and inscrutable Lawrence — and exquisite renderings of the vast, shimmering sands in Freddie Young's magnificent cinematography, Lawrence of Arabia is the greatest of all great, sprawling epics.

Part 2 More Special Features

1. A Conversation with Steven Spielberg (SD, 849) The acclaimed director recalls his first screening, its later impact on his life and career, his fascination with how the film was put together, his reaction to the core story, the picture's artistic licenses and the benefits thereof in this instance, his first meeting with David Lean, his role in the restoration, a unique “live commentary” experience with Lean, and the positives of the film's “natural” filmmaking techniques. 2. Four Original Featurettes – Maan, Jordan The Camels Are Cast (SD, 200) A vintage two-minute black-and-white news segment looking at the camels' work, role in the film, and life on the set. – In search of Lawrence (SD, 500) Another vintage five-minute black-and-white “making-of” promotional featurette that examines the difficult process of shooting in an unforgiving desert. – Romance of Arabia (SD, 437) A short vintage four-and-a-half-minute “making-of” feature that looks at the history and natural beauty of one of the world's most fascinating and historically important regions. The piece follows to briefly look at the making of the film. – Wind, Sand and Star The Making of a Classic (1970) (SD, 432) Cast and crew reflect on the film's great success, intercut with making-of footage and voiceover narration covering the difficulties of the shoot. The piece includes some material from other vintage featurettes. 3. New York Premiere (SD, 108) Original newsreel footage of the New York premiere. 4. Advertising Campaigns (SD, 451) About five minutes long, with music and narration, this little featurette offers quick overviews of the film's advertisement campaigns around the world from its various releases and cuts over the years.

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