Yesterday I did something I have not done in countless years; I went to the movies with Carey. This is noteworthy as it is something that we use to do just about every week. My cataracts were a big part of this, I couldn’t enjoy movies when I couldn’t see. There was more though, just drifting apart, a drift I’m now paddling against.
We saw Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen. This is my third time seeing it in a theater. The first was at some small revival theater. The second time was the big 25th Anniversary restored version at the Ziegfeld, or perhaps the Lowes Astor Plaza, the two best theaters in New York at the time. This was at the AMC 25, which has a very nice sized big screen in a multiplex. It’s part of a special series of limited re-releases of classic films, TCM & Fathom Present. Check out their schedule.
Lawrence is on my short list of favorite films, certainly on my top 10, maybe top 5. Watching it again I was overwhelmed at the stream of perfection. There are so many perfect scenes, and perfect elements of scenes. With the possible exception of 2001 no film was as effective in using the elements of film that aren’t dialogue. Each shot is a work of art. Each bit of the score is a work of art. The way they are combined is a transcendental work of art. David Lean took full advantage of the big screen and wide aspect ratio. The landscape is not just the scenery it’s a character in the scene. The long shots of the small human figures crossing the immense desert, literally put everything into perspective. My favorite scene in this, and perhaps any film is Lawrence’s two Arab boy servants/worshipers, waiting on the edge of the Nefud for Lawrence to return. The Nefud is known as the anvil of the sun, no water and no shade; “the worst place on earth.” Lawrence had just led 50 members of the Arab uprising across it, and impossible task. One fell off his camel in the night and was given up for lost. But Lawrence went back to get him, something everyone thought folly. They were sure he would die.
The boys take turn surveilling the Nefud, a featureless plain of sand beneath a cloudless sky. Daud is on watch when a tiny dot appears on the horizon. The music plays softly. Then as the dot enlarges the music segues into the full orchestral version of Lawrence’s Theme. There’s not a word of dialogue till they get close and Daud starts screaming “Lawrence!’ and Lawrence responds with “Daud.” I’d pay to just see that scene.
This is not just technical wizardry, the scenes and the music are epic, but they refuse to shrink Lawrence, he is a giant. Nobody did larger than life better than Peter O’Toole. Lawrence is a hero but the film is not a hagiography. The man himself remains a mystery, we see facets of him, but never the whole picture. He’s an enormous egotist yet riddled with doubts. He is afraid of violence because he horrified that he enjoys it. The Arabs are struggling against the Turks and even their technical allies the British. Lawrence struggles against himself.
It’s a long film, with an intermission. I thought I remembered when the intermission was. I was wrong. Unfortunately my bladder was primed by my belief. When the moment passed the bladder demanded attention. I finally gave up and said, “They must have cut out the intermission.” I ran to the bathroom. I came back just in time for intermission. Arggh.
The film starts with an overture. There is music but no picture. I’m sure that when it was originally shown the curtains were still closed. Only when they opened did the credits run. Do you know of any other film that does that? The same thing happened after the intermission.
Carey didn’t have time to hang out after the film, he left during the credits, so I headed straight home. I screwed up my commute. I had to change trains at 59th street. I saw that the D was coming and got on the train when it arrived. Then I saw we were at the 168th street station. There is no 168th on the D. I was on the A. They arrive on the same track back at 59th Street and only diverge after 145th street. It wasn’t so bad; I had to go back one stop and get the D there. I should know to always look at the train before boarding. I was distracted reading.
Today’s plan is seeing Othello in Bryant Park. I saw that in Central Park with Raul Julia back in the 80s. I’ll have something to write about tomorrow. I think I’ll just bring a sandwich to eat. I might be joined by a friend. That would be nice.
Now to get this posted and eat.
Wise Madness 