Lawrence of Arabia remains one of the most remarkable films I've ever seen. It presents at once the epic and intimate, an inspired blending of ingeniously staged cinematography, writing that manages to advance the sweep of historical scope while offering insight into the characters who shaped it, and compelling performances in the main and in support. It is so far removed and superior to the lion's share of todays special effects laden, comic book forsaken, mindless dronings peopled by cardboard characters uttering stilted, trite attempts at catch phrases in lieu of meaningful dialog that I can only watch it when I don't mean to go to the theater for a while, or sober.