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A Few Words About While we wait for A few words about...™ Lawrence of Arabia -- in 4k/UHD Blu-ray (2 Viewers)

Steve Tannehill

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This reminds me of the first time I saw the 1989 restoration. I took a day off work to see the first showing at the AMC Glen Lakes in Dallas. They had decorated the halls with sheets to make it look like the inside of a tent. The attendants wore costumes. It made the experience that much more memorable.
Now bring on the blu-ray!
 

Dennis Maricic

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What a great experience that would be.

Had the pleasure of seeing the 70mm restored print at the Bell TIFF Lightbox Theatre this month.

Everyone should have a chance to see this wonderful film in this format. All other presentations pale in comparison.
 

Charles Smith

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I'm still energized by my three or four 1989 viewings at the Century Plaza (may it Rest In Peace) in L.A. -- my reference experience to date.

Wait, how many years ago was that?
 

RobertR

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Originally Posted by Chas in CT
I'm still energized by my three or four 1989 viewings at the Century Plaza (may it Rest In Peace) in L.A. -- my reference experience to date.

Wait, how many years ago was that?

That was my very first movie going experience after moving to Southern California. The film was breathtaking, as fine a movie presentation as I've ever seen.
 

Robert Harris

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Originally Posted by Chas in CT
I'm still energized by my three or four 1989 viewings at the Century Plaza (may it Rest In Peace) in L.A. -- my reference experience to date.

Wait, how many years ago was that?
That would have been the Plitt. A particularly chilly February in 1989.
 

Charles Smith

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Without a doubt -- if I had to pick only one -- my single greatest experience at the Plitt. Fabulous theaters, as I recall. Especially the large one, of course.
 

Worth

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They used to show Lawrence in 70mm pretty regularly at Cinesphere - the very first IMAX screen - in Toronto. I saw it there several times and wish they still showed classics there.
 

Jim*Tod

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For me... the Uptown in DC in 1989 in 70mm. Truly superb presentation on their huge curved screen and an appreciative audience. Sadly the Uptown recently abandoned film projection entirely and has gone fully to digital projection. From all reports the results have been less than stellar.
 

RobertR

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Originally Posted by Robert Harris
That would have been the Plitt. A particularly chilly February in 1989.
That was the very month! But it didn't seem chilly to me, probably because it was 15 below in Denver a few weeks before.
 

Charles Smith

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I was to move east a few months later. One of those nights, I ate with friends at the then-new west coast outpost of the Stage Deli, in Century City, prior to taking them to the film. They liked movies, though in a casual sense, and it was not only their first time to see LoA, but their first taste of a roadshow 70mm production. They were properly blown away by both. It was an "occasion" for them, as these things should be. Now you've got me thinking I remember it being chilly, too. Maybe if I could just recall what I was wearing...
 

AdrianTurner

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I first saw the Restoration in London at the Odeon Marble Arch in the company of Sir David, Robert Bolt and several others who had made the picture. I'm sure Robert Harris would have been there as well. It turned out to be a controversial screening because this particular cinema had the only surviving deep-curve screen in London. It was never a Cinerama theatre but had been designed for D-150 presentations and I just loved seeing movies on that huge screen, which was actually used quite rarely as the fashion for 70mm faded. Anyway, Lawrence burst on to this incredible screen and I thought the whole experience was unforgettable. Unfortunately, Sir David didn't. He hated the way the curve affected the horizons in the film and created all sorts of other distortions and so - and this is POWER - he got Columbia to dismantle the screen and instal a regular flat screen instead. Aesthetically Sir David was quite right; a pity he killed London's most spectacular cinema as well.
 

Robert Harris

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And yet more suggestions of things Lawrence to do whilst biding one's time:

Read Michael Korda's new book, Hero. Brilliant!

Read Eddie Fowlie's just released book, David Lean's Dedicated Maniac. Mr. Fowlie, unfortunately just passed away. He was one of DL's best friends,
and his location and property guru for three decades. A great read.

Read the uncut 1922 version of TEL's Seven Pillars of Wisdom, available via Michael Wilson's Castle Hill Press.
Also suggested is The Mint.

http://www.castlehillpress.com/publications/2009_mint_1928_LF.shtml
 

SeanAx

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I saw the 70mm restoration on its original (restoration) run at the Cinerama in Seattle when I was visiting. Since I moved up to Seattle, I've seen it again in 70mm, again at the Cinerama. It comes back around every few years. And I'm getting itchy to see it again. In 70mm, of course.
 

I saw Lawrence of Arabia (and Ben-Hur, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, and Terminator 2) at the IMAX in Indianapolis around 1998 when they showed a festival of film favorites. It was awesome seeing it on the IMAX screen!
 

AdrianTurner

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Originally Posted by Robert Harris
Read Eddie Fowlie's just released book, David Lean's Dedicated Maniac. Mr. Fowlie, unfortunately just passed away. He was one of DL's best friends,
and his location and property guru for three decades. A great read.

So sorry to learn about Eddie. An amazing man, an even more amazing life, and one of the cinema's unsung heroes. It was a privilege to have met him on a few occasions.
 

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