Sociology

Lawrence of Arabia is an epic film based on the experiences of Thomas Edward Lawrence, a British Army Officer renowned for his role as liaison between the Arabs and the British during the Arab Revolt of 1916 to 1918. The film is largely based on the semi-autobiographical novel by T. E. Lawrence himself, the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The book was highly controversial in that some of the details that Lawrence wrote were either historically inaccurate or could not be factually verified. The film was also controversial since the director, David Lean, further romanticized the facts and added fictional characters to make the movie more coherent. After the film was released, many Arab nations banned the film for what they perceived as a disrespectful portrayal of the Arab Culture such as honor killing because of blood feud. Egypt was the only Arab nation who widely supported the film in its depiction of Arab nationalism.

For all the films controversy, the movie greatly highlighted the concepts of colonialism, and how religion and resistance to foreign occupation gave birth to Arab nationalism. To further appreciate and understand the film, the historical context of the film should be first examined. In 1914, Europe was in the brink of war with tensions rising from two dominant opposing powers. On one side is Germany and Austria-Hungary, on the other is France, Russia and Britain. By August of 1914, Britain formally declared war against Germany. This means that Britain is in the position to guarantee the security of all its colonial territories. Of utmost importance to the British Empire is the Suez Canal, which is the vein of transport of supplies and troops throughout the Middle East. Meanwhile, during 1914, most of the Middle East was controlled by the crumbling Ottoman Empire who had a close alliance with Germany. The British are well aware of the threat of the Ottoman Empire on the Suez Canal. However, they are apprehensive to engage the Turks in a war for fear of inciting the wrath of fiercely nationalistic Arab nations. Moreover, the Turkish Caliph has the power to call a jihad, a religious proclamation summoning Muslim nations to take up arms. It was in this backdrop that the story of Lawrence of Arabia was set.

Lawrence was dispatched to Egypt to work with the military intelligence on Arab matters. Lawrences strategy was not to engage the Ottoman Empire directly but to stir up the already bubbling tension of Arab tribes living under the Ottoman rule. The Arab tribes, fiercely independent, were gravely antagonistic of the Turks who subjugated them. The British gambled on their nationalistic inclination to help them in their battle against the Turks. Prince Faisal, an influential tribal leader, was recruited to lead in the resistance against the Turks. This is with the promise that the British would guarantee their independence after the war. Another powerful Bedouin warlord, Auda Abu Tayeh was also recruited in the fold. However, in the movie, Auda was portrayed as a mercenary, interested in the war for its spoils. In history, Auda was actually a staunch supporter of Pan-Arabism or the movement to unify the peoples and nations of the Arab world. With the help of Lawrence, a skillful tactician, the Resistance was able to launch successful campaigns such as the Arab Revolt and Battle of Aqaba, although the Battle of Aqaba was greatly romanticized in the movie. The Resistance employed guerilla warfare harassing the Turks supply lines and defenses. By December of 1917, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Jerusalem, was already in the hands of the British. However, despite the Britishs promise to the Arab tribes, they had other plans for the Middle East. Upon learning of the truth, Lawrence installed Faisal as the head of the Arab Administration in Damascus. However, the British had already promised Syria to France. Despite the efforts of Faisal, Damascus was seceded to France. Such is the drive of the British to colonize the Middle East, it was willing to use manipulation, force and sacrifice to secure its position and wealth. At the end of the movie, Lawrence was seen being sent back to Britain a sad and dejected man.