Night Waves

Landmarks - the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia

Thursday 5 June 2008 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)

In a special programme, Matthew Sweet is joined by film director Nicholas Roeg and others for an in-depth look at David Lean's 1962 epic film Lawrence of Arabia, 100 years after the director's birth. Its hero is the enigmatic British soldier Thomas Edward Lawrence, portrayed by Peter O'Toole, acting alongside Sharif and Alec Guinness. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, eventually winning seven including Best Director for Lean.

Duration:

45 minutes

Peter O' Toole as Lawrence of Arabia. Courtesy of the BFI

Peter O'Toole as Lawrence of Arabia 

Playlist

Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia, David Lean's epic film based on the life of enigmatic soldier and adventurer TE Lawrence was released in 1962. It inspired a generation of filmmakers who fell for its shimmering deserts, its burning sunrises and for the film's romantic hero, played by Peter O'Toole. The film won seven Academy Awards including best director for Lean and it is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece by directors such as Stephen Spielberg who called it a miracle.

To mark the centenary of David Lean's birth, Night Waves celebrates Lawrence of Arabia as one of the landmarks of our culture. Matthew Sweet talks to the director of Don't Look Now Nicolas Roeg who was one of Lean's cameramen on the film and to the film's editor Anne Coates. He also talks to the film director Roger Michell, who made Notting Hill and Enduring Love, and to the writer and critic Kevin Jackson who has written a book about the film.

A selection of David Lean's films will be screening at cinemas across the UKwww.bfi.org.uk/lean

Night Waves

Episode and Playlist Information

• 17 Jun 08 Jewish Britain
• 16 Jun 08 Brief History at 20
• 12 Jun 08 John Laughland
• 11 Jun08 The Chalk Garden
• 10 Jun 08 Michael Frayn
• 9 June 2008 Don Carlo
• 5 June 2008 Lawrence of Arabia
• 4 June 2008 Ismail Kadare
• 3 June 2008 Heidi Holland
• 2 June 2008 Lure Of The East