In this unofficial sequel to "Lawrence of Arabia", "A Dangerous Man" chronicles the efforts of T.E. Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes in his first film role) to live up to his promise for Arab independence. Along with Arab leader Prince Feisal (Alexander Siddig), he travels to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to argue for Arab independence. Though he finds some support, he is thwarted at every turn by diplomatic checkmates and unlucky coincidences, and ultimately he and Feisal are forced to leave empty-handed.
This is a moderately interesting historical film which is definitely inhibited by the fact that it was a made-for-cable production. It's also rather dry, with the exception of a few interesting scenes, and fails to generate much tension in what's going on. However, the film should be credited with its depiction of the chess-like gamesmanship of the diplomats, who have all the cards, and the almost-but-not-quite-successful bluffing of Lawrence and Feisal, who essentially have none other than that Britain promised the Arabs independence.
Ralph Fiennes does a stellar job as T.E. Lawrence. He looks a lot more like Lawrence than Peter O'Toole (though he's still taller), and while it would be virtually impossible for him to match O'Toole's performance in the Lean film he does a memorable job in his own right. All of Lawrence's jaunty optimism, egotism, idealism, and repressed homosexuality are present in his portrayal. Alexander Siddig is no doubt a much more realistic Feisal than Alec Guinness's portrayal, young, hopeful, friendly, somewhat naive but determined to gain freedom for his people. The supporting cast includes some tier one character actors: Denis Quilley and Nicholas Jones as British diplomats, Robert Arden in a very memorable turn as Woodrow Wilson, Michael Cochrane as Winston Churchill, and Jim Carter as Colonel Meinhertzhagen, Lawrence's chief aide.
"A Dangerous Man: Lawrence of Arabia" is not going to live up to "Lawrence of Arabia", for obvious reasons. Nor is it a terribly exciting film, which should be obvious given the subject matter. If you are a fan of Lean's original film, a T.E. Lawrence devotee, or a history buff (and this present writer is all three), then this film is worth a look. All others should watch their own discretion.
6/10
This is a moderately interesting historical film which is definitely inhibited by the fact that it was a made-for-cable production. It's also rather dry, with the exception of a few interesting scenes, and fails to generate much tension in what's going on. However, the film should be credited with its depiction of the chess-like gamesmanship of the diplomats, who have all the cards, and the almost-but-not-quite-successful bluffing of Lawrence and Feisal, who essentially have none other than that Britain promised the Arabs independence.
Ralph Fiennes does a stellar job as T.E. Lawrence. He looks a lot more like Lawrence than Peter O'Toole (though he's still taller), and while it would be virtually impossible for him to match O'Toole's performance in the Lean film he does a memorable job in his own right. All of Lawrence's jaunty optimism, egotism, idealism, and repressed homosexuality are present in his portrayal. Alexander Siddig is no doubt a much more realistic Feisal than Alec Guinness's portrayal, young, hopeful, friendly, somewhat naive but determined to gain freedom for his people. The supporting cast includes some tier one character actors: Denis Quilley and Nicholas Jones as British diplomats, Robert Arden in a very memorable turn as Woodrow Wilson, Michael Cochrane as Winston Churchill, and Jim Carter as Colonel Meinhertzhagen, Lawrence's chief aide.
"A Dangerous Man: Lawrence of Arabia" is not going to live up to "Lawrence of Arabia", for obvious reasons. Nor is it a terribly exciting film, which should be obvious given the subject matter. If you are a fan of Lean's original film, a T.E. Lawrence devotee, or a history buff (and this present writer is all three), then this film is worth a look. All others should watch their own discretion.
6/10