A Dangerous Man (1991)

Excellent movie, But

Excellent all-rounded movie depicting both history and the very good performances of both Fiennes and Siddig. The flaw in the movie is the very weak Arabic of Siddig and other arabic speaking characters in the movie. February 1, 2008

A Fantastic Sequel to LoA.........!!

Although quite a rare film to get a hold of now & out of print, this is one of Ralph Fiennes early successes on the big screen. Although playing our GREAT hero Lawrence completely differently to Peter O'Toole, I think Ralph does a wonderful job of portraying Lawrence's personality (assuming all that we read is true of this iconic legend?)

The story here is about what happened after the defeat of the Turks in Transjordan and what the Ottoman Empire was then. How the great expanse of this area was split up, why it was split up & who were involved in the [fatal?] decision making behind creating the countries that exist in the Middle East today. It will probably help you understand the present conflicts out there and may get you to question whether what happened was in the true interests of those living there? Namely Iraq, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon & Saudi Arabia.

As Ralph discovers half way through the film it's all about power, money & of course Oil.

Not as long as "Lawrence of Arabia" it is worth its weight in gold as it compliments the original film. July 22, 2007

T. E. Lawrence in Paris . . .

Picking up where "Lawrence of Arabia" left off, this film focuses on the political maneuverings among the French, English, and Americans following World War I, as they gather in Paris to divide up the world according to their colonial interests. T. E. Lawrence and the Arab prince Faisal, who fought together against the Turks during the war, attempt to preserve the new-won independence for the Arabs, but they are out-maneuvered at nearly every turn by the British, who with the help of the French, have plans to fold much of Arabia into the Empire.

Since we know from the start that Lawrence fails in his efforts, the film becomes a character study of a man without the political leverage to gain his objectives, while deeply conflicted by a personal history that makes his efforts seem desperate and painful. Meanwhile, those pitted against him are quick to show their scorn, using his illegitimate birth and his humble origins in an attempt to humiliate and intimidate him. In response, Lawrence employs his cutting wit, his intelligence, and a kind of reckless bravado to hold his own against them until circumstances and exhaustion finally wear him down.

Compared to Peter O'Toole's performance in "Lawrence of Arabia," Ralph Fiennes gives us a less glamorized portrayal of the man who seems driven by both over-confidence and self-doubt. The giggly grin during moments of pressure reveals a barely concealed uncertainty, even when he is playing hardball with his adversaries. It's clear that he is most at ease with his only compatriot, Faisal, whom he loves, while at the same time using him like a pawn in a game he seems to be playing for his own ends. It's a wonderfully complex performance set against a key moment in European and Middle East history with ramifications that fill the news today, almost 90 years later. February 21, 2007

A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia

The sequel to David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" with Ralph Fiennes reprising Peter O'Toole's role as the protagonist. A good portrait of the aftermath of WWI and the diplomatic wrangling of the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. France and Great Britain decide how to divvy up the Near East after the demise of the Ottoman Empire. Notable figures include Gertrude Bell, Winston Chrurchill, and Woodrow Wilson. November 25, 2006

Historically Accurate

Being a student of TE Lawrence, I particularly enjoyed this movie about the Paris Peace Conference post WW I British-French handling of Arabia. Ralph Fiennes was wonderful in the role of Lawrence. His physical stance, body language, facial expressions and voice were as history describes TEL. This movie was subtle, sets and costumes historically accurate and famous figures very well cast. It would be of interest to history lovers, specifically of this era, even who knew nothing about the specific subject. However, knowing the facts probably does add to the appreciation of the movie. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in TE Lawrence and/or the history of Arabia and the Middle East. July 17, 2005

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