Video: 'Lawrence of Arabia' (trailer)

(Monday, December 10, 1962, 8:00 p.m. GMT) — David Lean’s epic film Lawrence of Arabia, based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and widely considered one of the greatest and most influential films in the history of cinema, had its royal gala premiere tonight at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, with Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, in attendance.

Starring Peter O’ Toole, the film also features Alec Guinness Anthony Quinn Jack Hawkins José Ferrer Anthony Quayle Claude Rains Arthur Kennedy and Omar Sharif.

Video: 'Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - Movie' (8 clips)

The film depicts Lawrence’s experiences in the Ottoman provinces of Hejaz and Greater Syria during the First World War, in particular his attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National Council.

Video: 'LAWRENCE OF ARABIA PREMIERE - NO SOUND'

Its themes include Lawrence’s emotional struggles with the violence inherent in war, his identity, and his divided allegiance between his native Britain with its army and his new-found comrades within the Arabian desert tribes.