... On David Lean's EPIC 'Lawrence of Arabia':
The role of Sherif Ali was originally intended for Horst Buchholz but he was forced to turn it down owing to his commitment to Billy Wilder's movie One, Two, Three. Second choice Alain Delon tested successfully but suffered problems with the brown contact lenses required for the role. Maurice Ronet was then cast but was replaced after difficulties with his French accent and his Arabian dress (Lean complained "He looked like me walking around in drag").
Marlon Brando was signed for the role of T.E. Lawrence in 1960 but dropped out to take the role of Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty. After that, Anthony Perkins was also briefly considered.
While filming, Peter O'Toole bonded with co-star Omar Sharif. Recalls Sharif, "Peter and I were like brothers immediately. He said to me, 'Your name is not Omar Sharif - no one is called Omar Sharif. Your real name is probably Freddy something!' And for the rest of the film and the rest of our lives, he's never called me Omar. He calls me Freddy."
To film Omar Sharif's entrance through a mirage, Freddie Young used a special 482mm lens from Panavision. Panavision still has this lens, and it is known among cinematographers as the "David Lean lens". It was created specifically for this shot and has not been used since.
Peter O'Toole finally mastered his camel-riding technique by adding a layer of sponge rubber under the saddle to ease his bruised backside...a practical innovation quickly adopted by the actual Bedouin tribesmen acting as extras during the desert location filming.
Peter O'Toole is considerably taller and better looking than the real T.E. Lawrence (6'3" to Lawrence's real life height of 5'6"). Noel Coward is rumored to have said, on seeing the premiere, "If he'd been any prettier, they'd have had to call it Florence of Arabia."
Alec Guinness had a life-long interest in T.E. Lawrence, and had played him in a production of Terence Rattigan's play "Ross" on stage. Guinness wanted very much to play Lawrence, but David Lean and Sam Spiegel both told him he was too old. Laurence Olivier was the original choice for Prince Feisal, and Guinness was shifted to that role when Olivier turned it down.
Peter O'Toole was nearly killed during the first take of the Aqaba scene. A gun (used to signal the beginning of the scene) went off prematurely, and O'Toole's camel panicked, throwing him to the ground, while the extras on horseback began charging. Fortunately for O'Toole, his camel stayed still and stood over O'Toole, saving him from being trampled.
The film took longer to make than it did for the real T.E. Lawrence to go from lieutenant to colonel, to see the desert tribes united and tip the balance in the Allies' favor against the Turks in World War I.
Alec Guinness was made up to look like the real Faisal as close as possible. When they were shooting in Jordan, several people who knew the man mistook him for the real thing. Guinness shaved his head for his role.
Anthony Quinn applied his own make-up and would often arrive in real Arab clothes. At one point, David Lean mistook him for a native on the studio lot and so he sent his assistant to tell Quinn that he had replaced by this new arrival.
The film was banned in many Arab countries as they felt they were misrepresented. Omar Sharif arranged with President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt to view the film to show him there was nothing wrong with the way they were portrayed. Nasser loved the film and allowed it to be released in Egypt where it went on to become a monster hit.
Peter O'Toole claimed that he learned more about acting from his few days of filming with José Ferrer than he did in all his years at drama school.
At one point when filming was progressing far too slowly for his liking, producer Sam Spiegel invited William Wyler to visit the set. He wanted Wyler to encourage Lean to rely more on his second units for filming additional scenes, as he had done on Ben-Hur. The visit was to no avail, however, as Lean was too much of a perfectionist to relinquish control.
The film missed out on a 11th Oscar nomination - for Best Costume Design - because someone forgot to submit Phyllis Dalton's name for consideration.
Dalton devised a subtle way to indicate T.E. Lawrence's failing grip. As the film progresses, his robes become thinner and thinner until they are virtually translucent.
I think I may have seen Moulin Rouge in bits and pieces, don’t think I’ve seen the whole movie. I’m just not into musicals so it’s hard for me to sit through the whole thing. The last musical I actually enjoyed was Sweeney Todd but that film was just sick and twisted.
Ahah, well if you’re not into musicals, I’m surprised you’ve actually seen it Ted. I haven’t seen Sweeney Todd even though I love Alan Rickman, but yeah, I’m worried I won’t enjoy it.
as you it’s not just my fave musical and soundtrack, but also my fave film
I only wish, and it is a wish I will never forget, that Catherine Zeta Jones got the role as it was originally planned. She and Ewan would create wonders. Not that Kidman wasn’t nice, but….. Zeta did go on to get an Oscar for CHICAGO after that 
ELEPHANT LOVE MEDLEY is off course truly sensational.
I love when Dickie Roxburgh and Jim Broadbent sing LIKE A VIRGIN dancing together
Oh yeah, Catherine Zeta Jones would’ve been awesome in this. I can’t wait to see Gerry Berry heats up w/ screen w/ her in Playing the Field Dez.
Ahah, yeah, I LOVE that scene w/ Roxburgh and Broadbent, the Duke is just so hilarious!!
Ok, I’ll be visiting your blog tonight or tomorrow, sorry been pretty busy at work all day.
Cool post Ruth, i didn’t like this movie when I saw it the first time. I guess I was just tired or something, cos I saw it again on TV and I LOVED it. Used to listen to it in the car all the time as well, and if McGregor had done a CD, i’d have bought it. Almost picked it for Future Classic Movies
Thanks Paula, glad that you end up liking this one. I didn’t enjoy that can-can part in the beginning at first but it grew on me. My fave part is when these two are singing. Oh yeah, I think this one might end up being future classic, good one!
I’m afraid I wasn’t a fan either. I loved R&J but generally not that keen on musicals and this was no exception. Just re-listened to the song but still not doing it for me! Strange as I can be a sucker for soppy!
Hey that’s ok Pete, you can’t like ‘em all! Thanks for commenting anyway.
I don’t think I have seen that film…. I am naughty huh?
Have a good weekend matey, I am off for 4 days woohoo
Enjoy your weekend matey! So it’s the UK’s turn this weekend, awesome
I love Come what May, such a beautiful song! Nicole Kidman really has a lovely voice, it’s a shame she doesn’t sing more often. I adored the scenes where she sung Sparkling Diamonds and Hindi Sad Diamonds.
Glad you enjoyed this Sati, yes those two songs are lovely. Nicole really is multi-talented, I love how her voice mixes very well w/ Ewan’s.
yeah I’m kind of stoked about the musical resurgence of late. My wife and I saw both Les Mis and Rock on stage last summer. I’m pretty stoked, and also feel that The Great Gatsby will have much of the musical flair that Moulin had even if it’s not a musical.
Oh lucky you, Markus! I hope to catch Les Mis when it’s on tour in my neck of the woods next time. It’s funny that the Gatsby trailer is very musical-like even though it’s more of a drama, curious to see how that one turns out.
As you know, Ruth, I adore Moulin Rouge – it’s my second all-time favorite behind Armageddon – and this is indeed a cracking song from it. I still prefer The Love Song Medley, but Come What May is a pretty decent effort from Craig Armstrong…. love this song. Thanks for posting!
Hi Rodney, yeah I know you love this one, too. You even got an autographed dvd from one of the cast, that’s awesome! The Love Song medley is one of my faves, really there are a lot to choose from here
I love, own, and watch over and over again Moulin Rouge! You picked one of the best songs in that musical to spotlight! I love it. Who knew that Ewan and Nicole could sing so well?
Great post here. And, Scott, you better get on it. Watch it.
Hi T! Glad you’re a fellow MR fan as well. Yeah, it’s a pleasant surprise to hear talented actors who could sing beautifully.
This is my girlfriend’s favorite movie, and she sings the soundtrack all the time.
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed the film, too, especially given that I am usually not a big fan of musicals. McGregor and Kidman were a good combo.
Well your girlfriend is a woman with a fine taste
I’d think that the film would appeal to those who aren’t into musicals as it’s got some comedic elements. Plus they don’t sing EVERY single line.
I like the remix in the bonus materials a little more, but its a beautiful little song. The entire Red Curtain trilogy is extremely worthy of attention.
I should check out the Red Curtain trilogy, been curious about that for some time, thanks Max!
Moulin Rouge! is such a great movie, one of my favorite musicals. I love Luhrmann’s style and the anachronistic use of music really sets him apart. Nicole Kidman sings beautifully but Ewan McGregor’s voice is just plain stunning. He needs to do more musicals or record an album! El Tango de Roxanne gives me chills EVERY TIME.
Glad to hear Fernando. I’m listening to the soundtrack now and yes that Tango scene is just wow!! That’s why it’s in my top five movie tango scenes http://flixchatter.net/2010/09/09/just-for-fun-top-five-movie-tango-scenes/
One of my top 5 fave movies! My hubby didn’t want to see this movie (we didn’t have a chance to see it until it came out on DVD)…somewhere just into El Tango de Roxanne, the DVD gave out. I hadn’t noticed, but my husband had become enthralled. He was so pissed & to top it all off, the video store couldn’t get a replacement for a month! We used to constantly sing the Elephant Medley. I love musicals & am all but coming out of my skin with Rock of Ages being released next week!
Hi Kimber, welcome to FC! Oh no, that’s a bummer that your dvd died right before one of the best scenes of the movie, hope you get to see all of it by now. It’s certainly one of the best musicals ever. Hope you enjoy Rock of the Ages!
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Excellent song, performed beautifully by Ewan and Nicole.