Movies News

Lawrence of Arabia to conquer the big screen again

By Patrick Luce Oct 2, 2012, 14:42 GMT

David Lean\'s biography of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence paints a complex portrait of the desert-loving Englishman who united Arab tribes in battle against the Ottoman Turks during World War I. ...more

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest movies ever made, Lawrence of Arabia is set to return to the big screen on select movie theaters October 4th. The “Lawrence of Arabia 50th Anniversary Event: Digitally Restored” will be held at 7:00 p.m. local time, with special matinees in select theaters.

Tickets for “Lawrence of Arabia 50th Anniversary Event: Digitally Restored” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

The event will be presented using new digital cinema projection systems in more than 630 select movie theaters around the country. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Presented by NCM Fathom Events and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the film was meticulously restored by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 4K at Sony Pictures’ Colorworks from the original 65mm negative.

This special event features an exclusive introduction from Lawrence of Arabia star and Academy Awardnominee Omar Sharif.  The event will include newsreel footage of the New York premiere as stars arrive on the red carpet, as well as footage of King Hussein visiting the film set in Aqaba where he met David Lean, Sam Spiegel and Peter O’Toole.

Academy Award-winning Director Martin Scorsese (Best Director, The Departed, 2006) will also discuss the overarching themes of Lawrence of Arabia and its influence on other iconic films.
 
Winner of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture of 1962, Lawrence of Arabia is considered one of the most timeless and essential motion picture masterpieces.

The greatest achievement of its legendary, Oscar-winning director David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai), the film has been honored as the No. 7 film on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of the “100 Greatest Movies of All Time.”

In a series of brilliant tactical maneuvers, Lawrence leads 50 of Feisal's men in a tortured three-week crossing of the Nefud Desert to attack the strategic Turkish-held port of Aqaba. Following his successful raids against Turkish troops and trains, Lawrence’s triumphant leadership and unyielding courage gain him nearly god-like status among his Arab brothers.
 
The Lawrence of Arabia limited-edition, four-disc collector’s Gift Set will be available on November 13 in a fully-restored Blu-ray with UltraViolet. The four-disc set includes three Blu-ray discs, plus a CD of the original soundtrack featuring previously unreleased tracks.

Other special items include an authentic 70mm film frame (newly printed and numbered) and an 88-page hard-bound coffee table book that features rarely seen photos, the film’s history and significance and insight into the making of the film.