"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Saturday, July 24, 2010

"Ewarence" of Arabia

Yesterday, I watched David Lean's extraordinary film, "Lawrence of Arabia". I have not seen it since I was 10 years old....when my Mum (God Bless her for being "different" as Lawrence was), pulled me out of school to see a re-showing of the original film. I was "different" enough myself, even then, to understand that T.E. Lawrence was an extraordinary person.....as were the Arab Sheiks (all from different tribes) he was able to inspire and form one Arab Nation to win their freedom from the Turkish Empire during WWI. Mind you, I didn't really comprehend what had actually taken place.....I was moved by the compelling Maurice Jarre score, by the beautiful brown eyes of Omar Sharif (this was before David Lean cast him as "Dr. Zhivago") and the beautfiul blue eyes of Peter O'Toole. (His film debut.) I was moved by the hypnotically gorgeous but yet, exotically deadly desert, the camels.......graceful, yet awkward, the White Arabian Stallion that Anthony Quinn acquires and rides off into the sunset.....

My Mum adored this film. She saw it many times before she invented an excuse to get me to a theater to share it with her. She owned the soundtrack (those days on a LP recording)....and as I grew older, I fell in love with it's exotic leitmotifs. (Shades of Saint-Saens "Samson et Delilah" and even a bit of Verdi's "Aida".)

Watching it yesterday (courtesy of Netflix), I learned a lot from it. Perhaps it was seeing the burning desert Sun - since I have not seen it's warm and comforting rays in many months.... (gasp, it's really true)...or perhaps I was re-living my 10 happy Summers in New Mexico with "C", where we climbed ancient Indian caves in Bandolier or - (courtesy of John Fowles) - the extraordinary cliffs of Tsanwaki.....anyway, I was spellbound....David Lean was a Film Magician - not too many could create his magic. (Anthony Minghella, Werner Herzog and the team of Merchant/Ivory come to mind).... but, the story itself, was compelling too. My Mum, bought all of T.E. Lawrence's books....and I read "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" at 11 years old.... I admired him then - and I admire him more now.....it took great courage and passion to enter the world of Tribal Chiefs and to have the ability to reach out, to make them believe that his vision for an Arabian future..was theirs as well. Lawrence was a DREAMER..... but he has the strength to make part of his dream come true.

I have always been a Dreamer too.....and for most of my life, I was fortunate enough to make my own dreams see fruition. Life is different for me now.... it is hard to accept....and I am looking everywhere and anywhere I can for inspiration to help me go forward and regain some semblance of a life - and happiness and dreams.

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Enjoy the music....and if you have not seen this film, I highly recommend it.



22 comments:

  1. oh yes one of my all time favs, along with zhivago too, that man smoulders! omar i mean. oooh yummy yummy.

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  2. I love this film too, as I do most of David Lean's films, remember when we went to see some of his films together? "The Last Wave" comes to mind...Wish we lived closer so I could help keep you busy, do keep looking for the good and for inspiration wherever you can find it. Hugs. Love. xoxo

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  3. I'll have to come back and try to watch the videos. For some reason I'm not getting a smooth flow. I'm blaming it on too much wine for the computer ;P

    hey, I miss talking to you! After my company leaves we'll get caught up.

    xoxo
    Lo♥

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  4. Robin - You'll find that inspiration, that new open door - YOU WILL!!!

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  5. Jossie....hmmmmm...I am NOT surprised you fell under the spell of Sharif's eyes.... he was an extraordinary "beauty".... but O'Toole (then) was as well.... all those "Sexy" Men plus the score, the score.....the script, the script...

    They just don't make too many movies of this caliber anymore.....

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  6. Annie, my Sweet....it was Peter Weir who directed the spellbinding "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "The Last Wave"... I had totally forgotten him when I posted...but...he certainly belongs in this exalted group...thank you for the reminder.

    Sigh...I wish you were closer too.....perhaps one day!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  7. Lololololo...... A-ha-ha! You made me smile and laugh! (And you know why!) We WILL talk soon.... hey, my ear is getting a tad better!
    I can actually hear something out of it!

    Thank you "Dr. Gaylord"!

    MUWAH!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  8. Mim...... your warm, wonderful comment was the best hug I could have received!!! Thank you!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. Hi Robin! I love this movie, too. I watched it again not too long ago, and enjoyed it. :) You are a dreamer, and because you are, you are a sensitive soul.:) I hope that something good and wonderful drops in your lap soon, and you will start dreaming big dreams again. xox!

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  10. Hi Robin,

    Really hope the sunshine breaks through in every way soon!
    I am sure you get your life back on the rails again. Sometimes you feel lost but in real you are not. believe me!

    I must admit i haven't seen this movie....;(
    Have to put that on my to do list, but that is already so long........

    Big hug from me!!!
    ♥♥♥
    >M<

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  11. Dear Robin,

    Wow! thank you for this, i just learned so much! I remember my Mom used to love this movie, but i could never sit still(indoors) long enough to watch it through. I'm going straight to Netflix to add it now. LOVE the landscape shots, those dunes!! Where was it filmed?

    I'm sorry for being so dumb, but is it a true story? I don't know the history, was there really a L of Arabia? I'm excited to learn more, this is such a classic.

    I know how you feel with the fog still. We've had maybe 10 hours of sun this entire summer. The gloom is wearing...is there anyway you can head inland for a bit? you need to sit in the sun and let the warmth soothe you. I am wishing for all the best for you, really and truly.

    xoxo
    lori

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  12. robin - there's an award for you on my blog♡

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  13. here i am, late again. i keep trying to get you to come up on my blog roll and you don't!

    i have never seen this movie. i would have guessed bert lancaster starred in it and i don't like him. omar sharif i do like.

    so what are you dreaming these days, sweet friend?

    love love
    kj

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  14. Hi Robin,

    I wanted to send you an email thanking for your sweet card and pictures but I don't have your address.......
    maybe you can send me a short mail at mandarianne@gmail.com ?

    Thanks dear!!

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  15. Pameeee..... it IS amazing the wonderous people one discovers in the Blogging World.
    You see me as I really am.... and for that, especially during a rough time, I am eternally grateful. You are one awesome lady!!!!

    Love and Skellies,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  16. Marianne, I just sent you my home e-mail.
    I am thrilled you liked my "Einhorn" photos...

    Thank you for your friendship and for your words of encouragement. They mean a lot.

    Love to you, your Furry Ones - and especially, die schoene "Konig Sjimmie"!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  17. Amanda. you are just too sweet! I am so pleased to have met you....isn't the Blogging World full of amazing wonders!!!!!

    Stay in touch....I will too!

    Hugs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  18. Lori, so much to reply to.....first, I figured you were "fogged under" like me.... but, you know this is excessive - even for we Coastal Dwellers.... and no, I can't go to the Sun....no car...(long story, Ex-related) and no close friends who live where "the Sun shines".

    Second....yes. T.E.Lawrence(aka "Lawrence of Arabia" was, indeed, a real person. And he did unite the Arab Clans into a fighting force against the Turks....he was a prolific author and wrote many books, incorporating his philosophy about Mankind and the World. I am sure David Lean embellished the "Romantic" side of Lawrence's story.....but the facts remain and are true. When you and your husband have time, rent the film, enjoy a bottle of wine and bask in this amazing film. (I believe it was filmed in Morocco, not Arabia.)

    Love, your N.Cal. Friend,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  19. "KJB".
    Dreaming of (in order of importance):
    1. My hearing comng back 100%
    2. Sunshine, blue skies, warmth
    3. A job

    Not dreaming of: FRIENDS.....because, for the first time in my life, I really have some....not dependant on a man's love.....I am (shakily) learning to stand alone....

    Thank you, dear, dear Friend for your encouragement!

    MUWAH!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  20. Robin,

    thank you, i so appreciate you taking the time to answer me.

    So we will both sit here and continue to be patient and pray pray pray for the sun to shine! It's going to come out, it will!
    I'm also praying for your other dreams to come true too.

    Feel better soon okay?!

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  21. This is one of those movies I love to pop in when I need to relax. I can watch it again and again and never tire of it. Jarre's magnificent music, the desert, and yes, those magical eyes!!

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  22. Oh, you are so right, I can see how I got them confused though, both wonderful, inspiring directors and my head is a little muddled with all I have on my mind :-). xoxo

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