A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
T. E. Lawrence at the Paris Peace Conference.
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia is a 1990 British television film that follows T. E. Lawrence and Emir Faisal at the Paris Peace Conference after World War I. It marked the first film role for Ralph Fiennes, who plays Lawrence, and was produced by Anglia Films and Enigma Television. The film first screened on 18 April 1992 on the ITV network.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Christopher Menaul
- Producer
- Colin Vaines
- Writer
- Tim Rose Price
- Starring
- Ralph Fiennes
- Siddig El-Fadil
- Denis Quilley
- Company
- Anglia Films; Enigma Television
- Network
- ITV
- Released
- 18 April 1992
- Runtime
- 107 min.
Facts from the source article.
Synopsis
The film opens with a quotation from Lawrence's 1926 book Seven Pillars of Wisdom, which supplies the film's title. Lawrence meets with the British delegation and urges support for the Hashemites, who fought in the Arab Revolt and aided British interests. When Faisal arrives at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to claim Syria for Arab rule, French diplomats delay him. Lawrence joins Faisal's negotiating staff despite French and British attempts to exclude the Arabs. The United States is portrayed sympathetically, with Woodrow Wilson's principle of self-government for colonial areas. Lawrence defends Faisal's claim to Syria by citing British undertakings to Faisal's father in a secret letter and their joint march into Damascus. Faisal demands Arab governance of Syria, but France has prior colonial agreements with Britain. Lawrence and Faisal wear traditional Arab robes to gain attention. Lawrence gains allies including Gertrude Bell and Winston Churchill, but his popularity strains his friendship with Faisal, especially when President Wilson focuses on Lawrence's adventures. Lawrence is called to his dying father's bedside but arrives too late. Without Lawrence, Faisal accepts a French military presence in Syria. Lawrence confronts French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau, who cites French claims dating to the Crusades; Lawrence reminds him who won the Crusades.
Legacy
The film was a breakthrough for both lead actors. Ralph Fiennes' performance led Steven Spielberg to cast him as Amon Göth in Schindler's List, for which Fiennes was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Alexander Siddig's performance caught the attention of Star Trek producer Rick Berman, who invited him to audition for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where he was cast as Dr. Julian Bashir.
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