Mirages and spells You may agree or disagree, you
may argue, it won't change anything. Lean's Lawrence of Arabia will remain one
of the greatest movies in the world. The following is my tribute to the
masterpiece, mostly the words I've been clutching at trying to get out of
quicksands... Read and decide whether I succeeded.
Ah, and you may also wonder what the title means... well, I've been thinking
of a title for this page for quite a while until I've stumbled over this
superb quote -
Noel Coward (to O'Toole): "If you'd been any prettier, it would have
been Florence of Arabia."
And I went, let it BE then, for - God! - it fits.
...of our disorder It started as a mostly fanfiction page, but there was solid historical background I've found I just can't bypass. You see, it is an interesting phenomenon. Many say the film is historically inaccurate. Many say it has lost touch with reality and is nothing like true T.E.Lawrence's Arabian Odyssey... Well, first, this film made me want to know that truth, and I think it is a merit itself. Secondly, when I have read what scarce and conflicting but generally adequate reports I could find, I was not disappointed and I still loved LoA the way it is. And finally, I had to realize that from a less physical point of view this film is perfectly true, an honest and one of the most beautiful poems ever...
You may read my essay, a more detailed report. (coming soon)
You may also - and you should, in fact, - visit these sites and see for yourself how marvelously the History, the Myth and the Legend worked together!
Peter O'Toole (the unofficial pages) - unofficial but as close to perfection as possible. Contains virtually everything you ever wanted to know about the Man. Don't miss Chronical and Links sections for reviews and especially interviews!
Lawrence of Arabia FactFile - the title says it. Facts, raw facts carefully and scrupulously collected by one hell of a researcher. Decent is the word. I only hope it will be updated occasionally 'cause I want more...
T.E.Lawrence etc... - this "etc." stays for some lines of rambling about how good this site is. Really. It's a treasure chest if you've got some cash, and even if you haven't, like me, it still is a must-see. I personally was moved greately by those quote lists... Ah, don't just stare, go read it!
[Князь мятежа - что вам сказать? При всей исторической *не совсем точности* это лучшее, что мне удалось отыскать в русской Сети. Если не буква, то дух истории автором сохранен. Написано серьезно и... просто хорошо. Прочтите! Хотя бы ради цитат... нет, статья действительно хороша.] Увы, эта ссылка умерла. Постараюсь найти живую. А пока готова поделиться текстом...
And for dessert...
Ou Phrontis
which means Why Worry? or What Care I? Well, the author of this site *does*
care, as much for the subject as for designs and maintenance. Imagine all
sorts of information you've been seeking neatly arranged and presented with
a good humour... Imagined? Now go to this oasis before it vanishes like yet
another mirage! (Too good to be... *rueful smile*)
Sincerely yours, Elefwin
