The 1962-film - based on T. E. Lawrence's autobiography Seven Pillars of Wisdom- tells a story set during the Allies mid-eastern campaign during World War One. This was a time when the British were trying to stop the Turks from gaining control of the Suez control. T.E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) was very interested in the Arab groups and believed if they could be united a great country could emerge as a result. The British army, however, had little concern about the allied Bedouin tribes in the region since they were fragmented and fought with old fashioned weaponry.
The film begins at the end of Lawrence's life, showing his death and subsequent funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral. We then flash back to Cairo in 1917 where Lawrence is requested by English diplomat Mr. Dryden (Claude Rains) to visit the Bedouins of Arabia to assess the current climate for revolt amongst the tribesmen.
Once in the desert Lawrence becomes friends with Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. Lawrence eventually obtains an audience with Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness), Lawrence devises a plan to unite the rival Arab factions if Feisal's men are willing to cross the Nefud desert and to forge at least a temporary alliance with another Bedouin tribe led by Audu Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). The plan is then to capture the seacoast fortress of Aqaba back from the Turkish invaders by attacking from the rear.
Lawrence gets a job as an observer with Prince Feisal, the leader of an Arab tribal army, his adventures detailed by journalist Jackson Bentley. This leads to further guerrilla activities with his Arab comrades in arms. While on a spying mission to Deraa, Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey (Jose Ferrer). In his next battle, Lawrence fights more ruthlessly than ever. When peace is declared, Lawrence is declared a victor; but after he witnesses the chaotic, indecisive Arab peace council in Damascus, and watches as the greedy Europeans swoop down to pick up the leavings, he knows he has failed in his original dream to secure Arab independence.
Peter O'Toole, in his first role, creates a character based on a real life enigma who was often an unknown in real life even to those who knew him best. Along side O'Toole is the great work of such fine actors as Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness, and Claude Rains.
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