Lawrence of Arabia -- Penultimate Scene (no car)

[@curtisunit]

Shocking how bereft of humanity the room is when Brighton leaves. From the revelation of the Sykes Picot agreement to the motorcycle scene I felt like I was slowly being gutted. Claude Rains’ Dryden had me practically shouting at the screen. Amazing movie.

[@markgould1322]

I love the way Peter O'Toole plays Lawrence. Lawrence only at the end comes to realize how he has been played by not only Allenby, but by Faisal. He is so stunned he doesn't know what to do or say. He always knew that Allenby was duplicitous, but he really doesn't suspect that Faisal saw Arab independence as impractical until the end. The willingness of Faisal to play along with the British for future advantage absolutely stuns Lawrence. He realizes ultimately that all his high hopes for Arabs are being dashed. What a let down for him.

[@lukealadeen7836]

Wait Faisal was not being ernest? I never got that impeession

[@Clyde6frame]

Politics

[@dclark142002]

​@@lukealadeen7836, do some research into the real Prince Faisal.

[@gregruland1934]

Respectfully, nothing the British Army could do would "stun" Lawrence. Instead, Attenborough hints again at Lawrence's mental illness - O'Tool's scene in the shadows is haunting.

[@Clyde6frame]

@@gregruland1934 Hero by Michael Korda Story of TE Lawrence life

[@delavalmilker]

This scene consists entirely of dialogue. No action. No music. Yet it simply crackles with tension and energy. It's so multi-faceted. One can watch it a half-dozen times, and discover details and perspectives that were never noticed before. Compare the dialogue in this, to the fap that passes for movies today.

[@ARLO999]

You are so right....it is a quality film...

[@billt8504]

I don't know how they teach classes at USC or UCLA film school (or the Actor's Studio in NY) - but this five minute scene could be broken down and studied for an entire period or two. To your point: the writing (script) of this scene is superb. The acting (execution) is even better, with subtlety and three dimensions.

[@callmeishmael7452]

Directing five men in a room, a treat for a director.See Guinness in tinker tailor, with ‘his men in the room’.

[@garypulliam3740]

@@billt8504 And it is what is not spoken that has the greatest impact. The pauses, the stares, the silence.

[@5kehhn]

Those diplomats at the top in Britain took pencils out and marked off their cut.

[@danielbryce9843]

From Sharif Ali's well to the Damascus waterworks, Lawrence's adventure is bookended by disputes over water...

[@ethanpayne4116]

This is an excellent detail to notice, when all the glorious horrible fighting is done everyone still has to figure out how to distribute water

[@paulweber8954]

​@@ethanpayne4116very good observation. Did Mark Twain say whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over? Water was central to another great movie: Chinatown

[@ethanpayne4116]

@@paulweber8954 That's another great example, would be very cool to screen these two movies back to back actually, and they both end in a similar pyrrhic victory for the protagonist

[@kendavis5853]

Yes. But after all, they are in the desert. Everything in the desert is bookended by water.

[@Zvenygora]

“I thought I was a hard man” “You are merely a general. I must be a king”

[@JB-yb4wn]

Best line in the movie.

[@maulporphy4399]

Probably the best film ever made. "On the whole, I wish I'd stayed in Tunbridge Wells."

[@darrenwalters9886]

Definitely undercredited on fanboy/girl inflation lists, that's for sure.

[@Howenow1]

"What I owe you is beyond evaluation"--notice how the camera lingers on the sheer drape as Lawrence's shadow fades away and obscures, like the phantom he has become. I can't tell you how many times I've watched this scene. Alec Guinness--his performance is a miracle.

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

@Howenow1 - Beautifully said.

[@tspot816]

@@ARCtrooperblueleader Agreed. Well said.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

Sir Alec Guinness, & Jack Hawkins, both wonderful British actors’, with superb voices’. We’ll not see their likes again, sadly.

[@michaelschaefer7962]

That’s a great observation!

[@DrCruel]

You should read the actual book by TE Lawrence, called *Seven Pillars of Wisdom.* I lucked into it at a methodist soup kitchen, where it was practically being thrown away. The movie is true to it and not true to it, much like the relationship of Lawrence to the Arab cause. Still one of my favorite movies, one which has given me a permanent loathing for *To Kill a Mockingbird.* I can't bear to watch the latter.

[@ernestitoe]

My favorite line in this scene is, "Me, Your Highness? On the whole, I wish I'd stayed in Tunbridge Wells." Dryden is kind of an elegant crook.

[@Steve-u7u]

As he (Claude Rains) was in Casablanca. Type cast perchance?

[@stephaniejaniczekssmugglerscan]

This cast is the stuff of legends...

[@garrison6863]

Anthony Quayle was so good in this scene. He understands what they did to Lawrence. The whole idea photographically was to turn Lawrence into some kind of ghost, a detached spirit. Quayle cannot believe it. That guy who shakes his hand does not even know that he slapped him at the hospital. And it was so well directed on top of that.

[@markfalcoff1743]

Anthony Quale is not in this scene.

[@jaycahow4667]

@@markfalcoff1743 Yes he is, he is the other standing soldier................

[@12classics39]

Indeed. Brighton is the only non-Arab character in the entire film with enough compassion to feel for Lawrence and realize what the British have done to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brighton remained permanently disillusioned with the British forces for the rest of his days.

[@russmclean2395]

This film is 57 years old. It stands the test of time. Exquisitely written dialogue. Genuinely great and iconic actors.

[@JB-yb4wn]

This film is now 60 years old and it is still withstanding the test of time. You can't make a film of this calibre anymore.

[@genxmurse7019]

Very few movies out there turn out to be as brilliantly played, and with the perfect artists for their roles in them... This such movie is one of them.

[@Gr8Layks]

Good luck finding, today, new movies with such clever dialogue and peacefully aesthetic cinematography.

[@Z8_8Z]

Its like looking for water in the desert ! Rare to find don't u think ? Just like God's words the best drink of water u will ever have !

[@MrJm323]

We would have to bring back real literature to our school classrooms to see script dialogue like they used to have.

[@raymunchieftain4170]

Anonymous, You are very correct and deadly logic is employed.

[@accomplisheddiplomat4091]

@@ThePapasmurf1946 Oh well done on stereotyping young people again! This movie is not boring by a long shot, and is also not too distanced from the way decent dialogue is written today, sans the different manner in which we speak. But the dialogue isn't really that clever either.

[@allenatkins2263]

Siderman XV opens today!

[@shahazadh]

They used him (Lawrence) and they threw him. You could see the emotion and guilt evident on Colonel Brightons face ( played by Antony Quayle).This was the most emotional scene and a humiliating experience for a soldier.

[@davidrendall2461]

I don't know if you knew but during WW2 Antony Quayle served in much the same role as Lawrence did in WW1. He was liaison/intelligence/black ops with partisans in Yugoslavia, Albania and Greece. (Interestingly Lt Alec Guinness ran supplies to him in his landing craft) What he had to do and what he saw happen once he'd done it, always played heavily on his mind. A very interesting man, who knew exactly of the betrayal of trust in war.

[@notsoancientpelican]

Some soldiers-not all-finally face the realities of what they do, and what they have done. Not many take it well.

[@eddarby469]

@@notsoancientpelican You sound like you're so much better than us. I'm sure you're proud.

[@notsoancientpelican]

@@eddarby469 Not better, not worse. Different--that's all.

[@dod4004]

@@notsoancientpelican you are merely a pelican. I... must be a king.

[@AzharKhan-wn8wy]

"Old men's work. Young men make wars and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men - courage and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace (laughs). The vices of peace are the vices of old men - mistrust and caution. It must be so..." - Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal

[@ernestitoe]

Guinness played Faisal as an "old man," but he was only 5 years older than Lawrence.

[@emilromanoagramonte9190]

Great actors, do not require Music! Well acted from top to bottom!

[@maxlmlllan2604]

@@Xiapete took the words right out of my mouth mate

[@AlexanderDunetz]

This scene from LOA (1964) by David Lean drips with nostalgia , symbolism , and irony. Surrounding conference table are two generations of British thesbians. OLD : Alec Guinness , Claude Rains , Anthony Quayle , Jack Hawkins NEW : Peter O'Toole Peter O'Toole leaves the scene. But in the prospective course of cinematic history it is the Old Generation of actors who leave "the scene" and enable niche for the New Generation : O'Toole , Burton , Harvey , Caine , Connery , Hopkins.

[@Losrandir]

@@ernestitoe Yes, but it's not only the years that matter here. One might interpret this as giving Lawrence a little nudge, they're not so different in age but as his position, he has to play the part of the old man, and that's all what really matters. I think there's subtext there. As for him otherwise playing an old man, well, his demeanor as a prince and all that also makes him "older" than the ever youthful Lawrence, warrior and all that. In that way, Feisal is also "older" than Auda abu tai. Status and position.

[@michaelgaskell2031]

Dryden what a character. Played beautifully by Claude rains. The language used is exquisite. Love the beauty of speech

[@leetucker8605]

proud to say my father was in a few scenes of this film

[@-elchoya9832]

as who?

[@AlexanderDunetz]

Please tell us more ....... No matter how superficial or trivial , the participation reflects long arduous hours of being at set and interaction possibly with cast and crew including Master Lean

[@instantinople3796]

Please tell us more

[@leetucker8605]

@@instantinople3796 my father served in the 1st battalion light infantry,anti-tank regiment and based in seville,the whole platoon was involved in the making of the film,he was in around 6 scenes during the film, walking along side alec guinness in the arched hallway scene,the officers mess hall (snooker room scene),behind peter o'toole in the "lemonade" scene,a sentry on the left side of the 2 sentry boxes,and a couple of others,he had many a drink with peter and the rest of the cast there was a couple of scenes also in the making of lawrence of arabia that was on tv a couple of years ago

[@theglobalexposer4881]

@@leetucker8605 This is extraordinary to hear. The lemonade scene is the most famous. It is the scene I remember most, from having seen the film in about 1980 with my father and brothers.

[@rayanderson3164]

Claude Raines really did nail every roll he ever took on.

[@AnnaMack-m1l]

Yes, superb actor.

[@JB-yb4wn]

Even when we couldn't see him.

[@rayanderson3164]

@@JB-yb4wn Well played

[@smuhuskie7494]

As immense an actor that Peter O'Toole showed he was, I think we forget the other great actors especially Sir Alec Guiness.....he dominated without even trying.....amazing actor....

[@VinceLyle2161]

He probably did Star Wars for a paycheck, and he was such a professional he couldn't help but make his role iconic.

[@sagahammer]

I would hate to be an actor in a scene with Alec Guinness, his personality dominates Probably the finest film actor of all time.

[@davidrendall2461]

And yet Claude Rains has the last word, Quayle leaves with the audience, O'Toole completes his tragedy and Hawkins gets to play the most wonderful villain. If Guinness did anything in this scene, he created room for the other characters to make their exit. I imagine it was electric working with someone with so little intent on domination.

[@Losrandir]

Yet I think he also had the skills to give other actors as much space as they needed. Oh, I now see David Rendall said what I was just thinking.

[@2210ethan]

I love this film. And I love Col.Brighton's journey in the film and how sad Allenby is to have lost him at the story's end.

[@geniehossain3738]

Guinness’s last look to Lawrence is masterful, it conveys so many things; regret, admiration, anger, pity, disappointment, heartbreak. To Faisal, Lawrence represented hope that a miracle for his people had finally come, and he turned into a “double edged sword.” There’s so much sadness in his final words.

[@tlibber]

I just saw "Bridge on the River Kwai" in the theater yesterday, and it's clear to me that Alec Guinness was the greatest British actor of the latter 20th century. Your example in this film completely illustrates this point. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[@stevegreen9460]

@@tlibber have u seen him in the lady killers

[@tlibber]

@@stevegreen9460 I have. He's hilarious in it. The whole cast is for my money.

[@stevegreen9460]

@@tlibber he is and thay all are. glad u have seen it. brilliant film, sad its so largely forgotten

[@Murphy82nd]

Faisal used Lawrence as much as the British

[@harrisbobroff9813]

Old men make peace. Mistrust and Caution, vices of Old Men. Young men and war for future dream... This scene has a lot to understand.

[@AzharKhan-wn8wy]

"Take the honour, colonel. Be a little kind." - Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal

[@VimyScout]

A salute to some of the finest British actors that ever was.

[@teebee522]

British map makers made Prince Faisal king. King of Iraq. A conglomerate of Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish people. This film is the start of what we're going through today. Also, the British needed faster warships in their arms race with Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was creating a formidable navy, and the opening of the Kiel Canal, which was the access point to the Baltic and the North Seas. So, the British created turbine engines that required petroleum, and they got it from the Arabian Peninsula. Yet another thing that still dominates our world 100 years later.

[@simonshiels1]

When the Sykes Piquot "line" was agreed the slow fuse was lit resulting in the present day shambles , but to blame the European colonialists for the shambles would be too easy...turmoil has always been a feature of that area. Mind you , you could say that of any area humans tread. It's oil and the total significance its achieved in guiding policy that was the game changer here.

[@AzharKhan-wn8wy]

"You are merely a general (to british general). I must be a King" - Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal

[@jml-rj5re]

King of Syria, then Iraq. Brother Abdullah became King of Jordan. Events of the day illustrate that the Saudis would like to control most of the MIddle East again. But so would the Persians and Turks! Every line, every delivery is an absolute gem. It portends a century his history, mistrust, and violence in the region.

[@alecblunden8615]

@@jml-rj5re I suspect Faisal would resent being associated with the dynasty of ibn Said.

[@allthingsharbor]

@@jml-rj5re And so much more, now in the post 9/11 era, than they would have imagined when this movie was made.

[@Losrandir]

@@jml-rj5re Let's face it, half the world wants to control the Middle East. But nowadays that has mostly to do with oil.

[@WilliamDoyle-rb6lt]

Best movie ever made. All the great actors in it were superb. The great Claude Raines is so underrated.

[@CaptainQueue]

Agree. And I would say the same for Anthony Quinn.

[@philippeh3904]

Very sad, Lawrence was used as a pawn. Then he was destroyed mentally and physically. And Brighton is the only one who try’s to console him

[@nerthus4685]

We are all used as pawns by somebody.

[@pintpot]

I could be wrong, but I think the film makes him look much more of a pawn than he actually was

This film and "Network" are two of cinema's greatest screenplays. One could only hope to have a fraction of the talent and discipline to write scripts like these two films.

[@pix046]

We are from the golden age of online commentaries. Isn't this how history will judge us?

[@TheAyyarfire]

@@pix046 😂😂😂

[@udeychowdhury2529]

And when Lean finished this, he wept, for there were no more worlds left to conquer. Benefits of a classical education.

[@royfr8136]

Alexander the Great u pretentious xxxx

[@xod4084]

@@royfr8136 Hans Guber

[@arpitdas4263]

Incredible film. The way everything is blocked and arranged encapsulates the message of the film perfectly

[@Auditgod]

The line “I must be a king”. Think back to new promotions or responsibilities you had to take on in your life. It was no longer about you anymore. You found yourself capable of a strength you didn’t think possible, win or lose.

[@dk60ish]

Of his performance in this film, O'Toole said "it ruined my acting later on", but what a contribution!

[@JeffreyGillespie]

“what I owe you is beyond evaluation.” …. Amazing

[@tomcat4841]

"The desert is an ocean in which no oar is dipped."

[@garypulliam3740]

Harkens the song by America.

[@timrandall9479]

David Lean the best British director and John Ford was the best Anerican director of that era. Two masters that will probably never be equaled.

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

@Tim Randall - Well said. I would argue that David Lean is the finest Director in general.

[@Johnconno]

Neither of whom compared to Nicolas Roeg...

[@maulporphy4399]

John Huston.

[@stephenwright1476]

Big call!

[@erepsekahs]

Without a doubt one of the finest films ever made. My mother took me to it's premiere in London, UK. in 1964. I was just a little over 14 years old. No other film has ever made such an impression upon me. Absolutely magnificent in all it was and still represents. It is astonishing to think this was not some imaginary person doing imaginary things, he really did do these things....including attempting to betray the British Empire, but this is not addressed in the film. He spoke fluent Arabic and understood the local dialects. One very notable and deliberate mis-casting is that the real T.E. Lawrence was five feet, four-and-a-half inches short...and every film-maker knows you cannot have a hero who is five feet four-and-a-half inches in height and so Peter O'Toole at six feet one-and-three-quarter inches tall was cast to represent him. Lawrence fell so in love with the desert and the people of the desert that he wanted to make sure that at the war's end none of it was ceded to the British and/or the French, and of course primarily and absolutely the Germans and the Turks. Unfortunately Lawrence did not know of the Sykes/Picot Treaty in which the division of Arabia had already been agreed upon. In my opinion that is why he was not buried in Westminster Abbey, and, in my opinion, his death was no accident.

[@theglobalexposer4881]

No accident? Yikes. I never knew there was any question of this. What would have been the motivation for getting rid of him?

[@erepsekahs]

@@theglobalexposer4881 He was a traitor to the British Empire. He tried very hard to prevent England, (and consequently also the French), taking control of Arabia. That is historically accurate. He did not believe anyone other than 'the Arabs' should take control of what was in those days referred to as 'Arabia.'

[@dclark142002]

I think foisting the legend of 'Awrence of Arabia was enough to kill him. No matter what he did after that, he would never be able to get away from the fake legend that the British and French propagandized...so no matter what he did, they would win. There was no need to kill him off. He was already, in a very real sense, dead.

[@lawrencelewis2592]

There was mention in newspapers of a black saloon car in the vicinity of the crash. I've seen his motorcycle at the I.W.M. about 8-9 years ago- it had a room to itself. I've read somewhere that Oswald Mosley wanted to get him in the B.U.F. whan he got out of the air force but he died before that could happen.

[@michaelvoisey8458]

His memorial service at the start of the film is at ST Pauls Cathedral the same place where Nelson and Wellington are buried

[@rogerlephoque3704]

No matter how many times I watch this movie - scores of times over the years - I see something new in its artistic form every time.

[@ARLO999]

Great film, but the last scene is almost eerie, it shows T E riding in a truck, the driver says, ' Home sir, goin 'ome '. Then a motorcycle roars past in a cloud of dust, with T E staring after it.....a portent of his eventual fate......brilliant.

[@jackrutledgegoembel5896]

And behind him, camels.

[@harrydebastardeharris987]

He was looking at the caravan of Bedouin’s as the motorbike went past and wondered where was his “home”. I used to pass his house at “Clouds Hill”.on my motorbike every day for a few months while I worked at the Bovington Tank Base.

[@fargokid71]

One of my most favorite movies. My dad took my friends and I to see this in the Summer of 1962 to a So Cal theater. It was bloody for young men at the time...but absolutely a great movie.

[@emerybayblues]

this is scene is cold blooded.

[@sadjaxx]

They broke him. Completely broke him.

[@burnticeblues]

Thank you to this video and the insightful comments below, both a rarity on this website. I am very grateful

[@kentishtowncowboy]

Wonderful ensemble playing. One really has to pay attention to the words, manners and the sub-text. I always see something new that makes me think on. :-)

[@jameswindrush2760]

kentishtowncowboy 🗿 Godspeed❗ 🌟 🌈 🍄

[@ripperduck]

Brighton is upset because of all that has been lost for nothing. Lawrence led a revolt that cost thousands of lives, a war without precedent, all for nothing. Lawrence was used by both the Arabs and British and at the end Feisal got what he wanted control of Arabia but without the need for democracy. He's still King but Lawrence wanted some kind of freedom from both Arab and British tyranny, for the Arab people. In the end, both the Arab kings and the British still controlled Arabia.

[@HC-cb4yp]

Then Roosevelt charmed Faisel...

[@12classics39]

“What I owe you is beyond evaluation.” A very poignant line. Faisal is still grateful to Lawrence for the incredible effort he made and the love he gave to the Arab people, in spite of Lawrence’s flaws and the ultimate outcome of those efforts.

[@nopet-cu6wm]

One of the best movies of all times

[@Steve-u7u]

"all time".....

[@McRocket]

Great scene, IMO. Thank you, very much for posting this. ☮

[@Barbapippo]

What an incredible group of actors.

[@ElidonProductions]

"What I owe you is beyond evaluation..."

[@fatbastard3280]

I'm sure that Sir T.E. Lawrence sheds bitter tears to see what has become of his beloved Arabs.

[@pix046]

And what has happened to his Palestinians.

[@adrianjackson2696]

Fat Bastard - Lawrence was not knighted so no "Sir" before his name however he was awarded a CB and DSO on top of his war campaign medals.

[@Setmose]

The Heshemite Kingdom of Jordan is still holding up as a bastion of rationality in the Middle East. That is Lawrence's doing, and his lasting legacy.

[@rabibengali5811]

@@pix046 Lawrence favored Balfour

[@sorellman]

This comment and most replies here denote lack of knowledge of real history and total dependence to a politician's version of history. First, whatever you think "has become of his beloved Arabs" is actually a product of western powers meddling in the Arab world, which is what this scene in particular is in part about. Then there is the fact that many of the Arab countries in the region are doing far better now then they were doing during his time, and that is because the West needs their oil.In addition to that Arabs have had a brilliant civilization that made significant contributions to civilization advancement. Last but not the least, to those who complain about the faith of "his Palestinians," let it be noted that, as this scene in the movie shows, Faisal, the Arab king, was first to betray the Arab cause so he could stay in power with the help of the British. As for Lawrence, according to some, he was an anti-Semite. According to others, he had a positive relation with both the Jewish and Arab community. What is clear from his correspondence on this matter is that Palestine was not "his Palestine" but an issue he expected the British to resolve, which ever way they were going. He gave his advise but did not really take sides, and in the end he was in favor of the Balfour agreement. Other than that, historically that part of the world is Jewish territory. The Arabs moved into the area in the 7th century or so. On that note it would be best if they learned to live together in peace and harmony. Alas, politicians and religious leaders do not want that. Peace and harmony diminishes their power of control and manipulate, hence the current situation.

[@williamphillips6049]

Not many actors can be this long winded and be listened to.

[@RWMoortgat]

Guinness as Prince Faisal is absolutely regal!

[@jasenwright1178]

At the end of a Chess game, all the pieces both great and small go back into the box!!

[@tspot816]

I love that quote! Where is that from?

[@AllenbysEyes]

Dryden's final line is a brilliant kiss-off for the whole movie.

[@timkellyD2R]

Claude Rains is yet another master of the art, and in the greatest of company in this scene.

[@HC-cb4yp]

What's Tumbridge Welles? What would the American equivalent be, if there is one?

[@fezmancomments]

Mark Basnight Tunbridge Wells is an old spa town in Kent. Because it has good railway link to London it has the reputation of being a classic commuter town - particularly for civil servants like Dryden. Spa water and golf and letters to the editor of the Daily Telegraph, signed “Angry of Tunbridge Wells” The town is one of the few in England to have the prefix Royal Tunbridge Wells. Perhaps a US equivalent might be Berlin, Maryland?

[@Peter-wd1yo]

For a second I hoped he was going to say "I am shocked to learn there is gambling going on on this establishment."

[@davidw.2791]

So does that mean he played the part of Magnificent Bastard but then tries to brush it off with modesty?

[@patmcbride9853]

Brighton could not stomach another second of it and showed himself out, but his superior was stuck and hated to be so.

[@forcedadventure]

THIS IS A PURE CINEMA .......................................................MAGIC !!!

[@dwetick1]

Arabia is for the Arabs...no one else. Lawrence knew this better than anyone and cut to the chase with a clarity not seen or known in history. An epic film to be sure.

[@DestroyerWill]

D Wetick Europe for the Europeans then right?

[@nour4828]

A Page yes

[@paulallen8109]

@@DestroyerWill That would all be fine - if Europeans didn't consider other continents as "theirs" . Once they began conquering America and later Africa and Asia it all became a huge dick waving contest over what European power had the most colonies all over the world and who could pillage the most. "Europe for the Europeans" ? No, they lost the right to say that when they began invading and conquering large parts of the world *long* away from Europe. And if you want to be one of those self-righteous nationalists I highly suggest you urge your fellow Europeans to leave America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc and go back to Europe. Until then they have no business urging other people to stay out of Europe.

[@stevekaczynski3793]

Arab historians have not been kind to him - one of the early negative histories of Lawrence was written by an Arab. Essentially because at the end of the day he was a British officer, and Arabs for the most part exchanged Ottoman rule for rule by Britain and France.

[@garrison968]

One of the great scenes in modern cinema. You can analyze this like a textbook on how to direct what is essentially a dialogue scene. Fiesal has gotten what he wanted out of Lawrence. Now he dumps him. And that guy who shakes his hand is the same guy who struck Lawrence at the hospital. And Quayle is the only guy who has any humanity about what they have done to Lawrence. Which was to use him up.

[@davidjamessheets]

The other subtext is that Lawrence isn't promoted out of merit but because he's a homosexual (in order to have a cabin to himself on the boat home).

[@MajesticOak]

+King David I thought it was more of a "kicked upstairs for retirement" as to get him out of the way of the actual footwork still going on the in Middle East Theater... That's the nice thing about great movies, you can interpret just about every scene in so many ways, without looking contrived doing so.

[@davidjamessheets]

Majestic Oak In real life T.E. Lawrence was very much part of the post-war discussion. Film Lawrence is essentially a fictional character.

[@sagahammer]

There is no evidence that Lawrence was a homosexual

[@kyeo77]

lol dude was gay

[@andinewman4865]

Such a great movie!!

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

Great movie... RIP Peter O'Toole

[@frankguilfoyle4708]

another great actor bites the dust:-(

[@robertgift]

+frank Guilfoyle No. He died after a long, productive, fulfilled life. Now I, as a tophat and tailed chimney sweep, shall bite the dust.

[@JohnRoberts-wk6rf]

This is the way to write a tense scene using only dialogue. The very skillful use of dialogue. We don't see this in movies today.

[@Autostade67]

Stunning use of light by Freddie Young, using a gobo to place a slash of light across Lawrence's eyes (and another across his chest) - an effect he would use again in 'Doctor Zhivago' (Yuri holding back tears watching Lara iron in the field hospital) and 'Ryan's Daughter' (the arrival of Major Doryan witnessed by Michael) - this simple effect gives Lawrence an aching place of 'otherness' - amplified again by his backlit disappearance throigh the curtain and his diminishing shadow as Faisal's words go unheard.

[@lazyartiste_2357]

Great observation!

[@RWMoortgat]

Faisal was glad to be rid of Lawrence because as portrayed in the movie, Lawrence was an idealist. There was a purpose for idealism to fight the battles and inspire the Arabs, but after all was won, Lawrence would have been an impediment and thorn for both Faisal and the British, who now are about to set forth drawing lines on maps and establishing political entities.

[@nelsonzambrano5788]

However Lawrence did advise King Faisal after the war..There is a black/white movie which showed Lawrence riding w/Faisal to a conference in (London?) . The Brits later on forbade him from any contact to King Faisal..Also a great program, I saw where two authors (I can't remember their names, one was an Iraqi, former MInister of Defense to Iraq) and the other an American - talked about King Faisal and Lawrence relationship....

[@Losrandir]

Both were of course at the Versailles peace conference as well, unless my brain is on backwards, which wouldn't be so much out of the ordinary

[@12classics39]

I think Faisal only said he and Allenby both would be glad to be rid of Lawrence in order to get on Allenby’s good side. The subtext of Guinness’ performance indicates an understanding that, unlike Allenby, Lawrence truly had the Arabs’ best interest at heart and was as disappointed as Faisal was that Arabia couldn’t be independent.

[@JohnSmith-fc1yj]

Faisal: "What I owe you ... is beyond evaluation" Lawrence: exits through white curtains, which shimmer for a moment. To me this was the classic scene on which to fade up the theme music and pan out to a desert scene ... End. But then I am not a film director. This is David Lean's masterpiece that has never been equalled.

[@PhilMoskowitz]

God, no one writes dialogue like this anymore. We get plenty of meme-y Tarantino dialogue, but beautiful and purposeful language like this in modern movies? Gone.

[@CastleCritters]

Having watch this film more than I can count the best of all was with my mother an sister an grand ma ,I am a artist of many skills . This film took more than 2 years in the making on location with a cast an crew of total BRILLIANCE . I have also researched T.E.LAWRENCE the man , all have have to report is what a profound person who was well beyond any who were his superiors but yet shows a human side to the situation that was disregarded , an now we still face the same game , oil for blood or blood for oil , but where is the HUMANITY . There are so many films of sheer imagination base on true facts . If not then LETS MAKE THEM .

[@nabilghusein483]

Epic of All Epics

[@nelsonzambrano5788]

My dad spoke fondly and with alot of respect of Prince Feisal and now I know why...

[@Philmoscowitz]

That last line, though. What a punch. Artfully delivered.

[@JACKnJESUS]

The cinematography alone makes this movie well worth watching. Ranks right up there with The Black Narcissus.

[@sanghoonlee5171]

I was too young to understand this ending at age 19. I understand it now. The writing is exquisite.

[@cgavin1]

O'Toole legend! Masterful acting. "Yes, what for?" "Then, thank you." Not an actor? Imagine this as written. Seems perfunctory and trite. He makes it EPIC.

[@Entertainer114]

As a kid I had no idea what a treasure this scene was. Just this cast alone, all in the same scene together. Talk about some of the all time great British actors: Peter O'Toole Alec Guinness Claude Rains Jack Hawkins

[@davidrendall2461]

The film is an embarrassment of riches, impossible to identify a best scene, performance or line. This scene alone provides more minerals than a mini series. Yet for me, I identify Claude Rains final line as the most poignant: "On the whole, I wish I'd stayed in Tunbridge Wells!" It encapsulates the whole story. He's so obviously lying, so obviously honest, tired of the fight, yet still swinging out of habit and amused curiosity. Brilliant people at the top of their game, but I love Rains delivery of the point.

[@fsbirdhouse]

Why we celebrate the film among the greatest ever. Oh what has happened to Hollywood? The talent is still there, but it has become confused.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@fsbirdhouse Today - they would rather make a political statement than a good movie. .

[@daddiospatio]

Fantastic movie, one that should be watched by the leaders of today.

[@domainofthesun4400]

I was waiting for the very end of the scene, where Brighton hurries after Lawrence, but fails to catch him, and stands with tears running down his face.

[@nrs6956]

Be it ever so humble as self interest masquerading as goodwill.

[@Clyde6frame]

One of the greatest stories ever put on film this is a lesson in history But we tend to forget, over and over again

[@EJamshed]

Beautiful crafted dialogue. Alec Guinness at his best

[@harrydebastardeharris987]

It’s my favourite filmi watch it every six months or so.

[@wcstevens7]

Col. Lawrence..a truly great British hero and patriot.

[@somanoma6465]

Elizabeth Reign Castillo And scumbag

[@blade5896]

Why? He tried to fight the Sykes-Picot agreement

[@thedavecorp]

Peace is hardly a vice, especially, now, especially in 2022.

[@OriginalCoastalDistancing]

Guinness subsequently withdrew from society, seeking solitude and inner reflection. He was not seen until a chance encounter that changed his life. But of course that is another story. One that happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

[@sandrosoler7274]

is the officer that shakes his hand the same as the one who slapped him at the hospital?

[@tlibber]

It sure is. Hence the awkward moment when Lawrence asks "Haven't we met before?" :) Good catch!

[@peterlewis3540]

Yes, except lawrence was in the dress of an Arab Sherif, when he visited the hospital in Damascus, with no running water. He was in British uniform when leaving General Allenby's office, so it was easy to mistake their first meeting.

[@tlibber]

Peter Lewis You are CORRECT, sir. :D

[@Assassinus2]

And the same officer who calls out Mr. Bentley after Col. Lawrence's funeral.

[@theenglishman9596]

#sandro we all know that.

[@2good2often]

In the original release .. edited out in the re-release ..The French advisor tells Lawerence ' You must understand my good man - The Kingdoms of Heaven may run on faith , But the Kingdoms of Earth run on oil " .. The British Navy was in process of converting it's ships to oil , the era of coal was done . But a country with no oil wells was vulnerable in time of war . Churchill and others at Whitehall had to make sure that Iraq and Arabia were firmly in British control . The British Empire and it's Navy must be protected and fueled at all costs .

[@jml-rj5re]

"Yes, sir. So you keep saying."

[@gregcosta6965]

I can understand why the officer became emotional. Just listening to Alec Guinness speak makes me emotional i don't know why:((. He's got a way with words. He was fantastic as Prince Faisal.

[@florenciagondra-iz8ol]

Excelente película "Lawrence de Arabia"👍📽️

[@georgepress1261]

Great movie

[@douglasruss2889]

Great Classic !

[@januarioqueiroz3122]

Excellent actors

[@sma1968]

This is a great scene but it is not the final scene of LOA. Final scene is Lawrence being driven out of desert - passing camels. He looks back to them as the retreat into distance. then a motorcycle passes them and vanishes into desert in front of him... His past and his future. THAT is one of the greatest endings of all time.

[@fytos13]

Stefan Avalos one of the best comments I read in youtube ... Respect friend

[@ronaldpollard9098]

is not the end the death?

[@EJP286CRSKW]

ronald pollard No, that's right at the beginning.

[@curtlewis2795]

It doesn't say it's the final scene. It's the penultimate scene. Next-to-last, in other words

[@jslasher1]

Still, the greatest film ever made. It should be on the AFI's list rather than either 'Vertigo" or "Citizen Kane".

[@Matt_from_Florida]

This movie shows just how much our world has changed since the year I was born.

[@MarkSimonBradshaw]

My favourite film.

[@Sheehan1]

Immaculate movie

[@stevetarrant3898]

"These aren't the droids you're looking for."

[@Ant-Zee]

Glory is fleeting.

[@notafool3178]

If Prince Faisal was really this noble then the current Leaders have fallen far from the heights.

[@rscott2247]

Young men make wars and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men....