ImageLawrence of Arabia is a masterpiece released in 1962 by director David Lean and producer Sam Spiegel. It is constantly rated as one of the best movies of all times and has attracted outstanding reviews. It had an estimated budget of 15 million and made 70 million gross worldwide (until 2004). It was produced by Horizon Pictures and released by Columbia Pictures.

This movie is based on The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. It is the curious story of how British officer T.E Lawrence became the instigator and the leader of the Arab revolt. Spiegel and scriptwriter Bolt and Wilson were offered large sums of money by studios who wanted to produce the film. Spiegel rejected offers because he wanted to keep control on the production. It is thought that no Hollywood studio would have allowed Lawrence of Arabia to be edited the way it was with long scenes and without action.

It is also said that Wilson wrote the first draft of the script and Lean was dissatisfied. This led to hiring Robert Bolt. The characters and scenes were Wilson’s inventions but the script was Bolt’s.

The movie was filmed on location in Jordan, Morocco and Spain.

At times, the filming seems to have been delayed because the movie started shooting before the script was finished. Wilson had quit early. He was succeeded by Beverley Cross, but then the final version had to be finished by Bolt. Bolt himself was not free of trouble. He got himself arrested for participating in an anti-nuclear demonstration. Spiegel had to force him to sign a recognizance of good behavior in order to continue the project.

It should be noted that although the movie shows the Arabs as glorious warriors, several Arab countries banned this movie because they felt it offended their history. Egypt was a notable exception being the only Arab country to have a wide release.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_of_Arabia_(film)#Pre-production