Lawrence of Arabia follows the life of T. E. Lawrence and his experiences in Arabia during World War I. It focuses on his involvement with Arab nationalists and their attacks on Turkish forces. The 1962 film was produced in Britain and won numerous awards. It features Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, and Peter O'Toole in leading roles.
2. Synopsis
• The film follows the life of T. E. Lawrence and
his experiences in the Arabian Peninsula during
the first world War, the film also focuses on the
events of the attacks on Aqaba and Damascus
and his involvement with the Arab national
council
• The film was made in 1962 and was produced
b the British film company: Horizon Pictures
• The film has won numerous awards and has
earned preservation in the United States
Library of congress National Film Registry
• The film features Alec Guinness, Anthony
Quinn and Peter O’Toole
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1zpHW
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3. Camera angles: long shots
• During the opening scene, the film uses several examples of long/wide shots. The
most notable example is when the Sharif Ali is approaching the two characters.
The film uses an extreme wide shot to establish the setting, it shows how vast the
Arabian desert is. This establishes the scene for the audience and perspectives the
size of the desert-this could immerse them into the film more. In addition, an
extreme wide shot is used to evoke mystery. The audience can’t see the character
clearly, this adds tension as the audience does not know who this character is. If a
closer shot was used as Ali approaches (e.g. a medium shot) the shot would be less
tense and the audience could see the characters face and his facial expression,
they will know the characters affiliation and intent immediately
4. Camerawork: medium shot
• As Sharif Ali approaches, there is an example of a medium shot where both
characters are visible-this is also an example of a two shot. The use of a
medium shot ensures that both characters are visible in shot and ensures
that both characters facial expressions are clear. The facial expressions need
to visible so the audience can understand what the characters are feeling,
they can emote with the characters and they'll have a better understanding
of the seriousness of the situation
5. Camerawork: Panning shot
• As the Bedouin guide realises who is approaching them, a panning
shot is used to follow the guide as he runs to the camel. A panning
shot is used to display to the audience what the guide is doing, it
adds displays his exact actions and makes the scene more clear to
the audience. In addition, a panning shot what used to increase the
pace of the shot. This makes the scene more tense because the
character and the camera is moving faster
6. Sound: non-diegetic
• An example of non-diegetic sound in this was
when Sharif shot the Bedouin, a gunshot
sound effect was added to this scene to make
the shot more believable . The non-diegetic
sound added will immerse the audience
because they will believe the shot is real. The
audience will be more captivated by the film
because it appears as if it is real
7. Editing: colour
• One noticeable aspect of the shot was the colour saturation, the
colour has been increased which creates a very vibrant shot. The
increase in colour provides a very bright shot, this ensures that the
audience can see the detail of the film more clearly. There are very
few dark scenes because of the saturation, this provides clarity to
the audience
8. Mise-en-scene: clothing
• Throughout the clip, the
three characters are seen to
be wearing traditional Arabic
clothing, the clothing is
appropriate for the time (the
film is set in the first world
war) and location of the
shot. This adds similitude to
the shot, the film looks very
similar to post war Arabia . In
addition, this makes the
audience believe that the
film is set during the war. It
immerses the audience in
the film because it is
accurate.
9. • This film follows Todorov’s equilibrium and
disequilibrium theory, it follows the structure:
equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to fix
then the new equilibrium. It begins without any
disruption, there is order (equilibrium). Sharif Ali
appears in the distance (disruption). The two
characters realise these person in the distance could be
a threat so the Bedouin draws a weapon (recognition).
The Bedouin is killed by Sharif in an attempt to restore
order (attempt to fix). Finally, Lawrence and Sharif talk
and there is no hostility. Order has been restored (new
equilibrium)
