Sony Pictures Entertainment is debuting the newly digitally restored presentation of Lawrence of Arabia in select U.S. theaters for a special one-night event Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Presented by NCM® Fathom Events the film was meticulously restored by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 4K at Sony Pictures' Colorworks from the original 65mm negative. This special event features an exclusive introduction from Lawrence of Arabia star and Academy Award nominee Omar Sharif. The event will include newsreel footage of the New York premiere as stars arrive on the red carpet, as well as footage of King Hussein visiting the film set in Aqaba where he met David Lean, Sam Spiegel and Peter O'Toole. Academy Award winning Director Martin Scorsese (Best Director, The Departed) will also discuss the overarching themes of the film and its influence on other iconic films.
Tickets for "Lawrence of Arabia 50th Anniversary Event: Digitally Restored" are available at participating theater box offices and online at FathomEvents.com. The event will be presented using new digital cinema projection systems in more than 630 select movie theaters around the country.
Click here for a full list of participating theaters.
I would still rather see it on an actual 65mm print, but there's a SLIGHT possibility I might attend this screening, otherwise I'll just save my money and put it towards the Blu.
I am planning on going with my dad. He saw it fifty years ago and now I'll see it for first time. Yojimbo68's comment gives me pause though. I guess worse case scenario, if window boxed, we get our money back and see something else
Seeing an actual 70mm print of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA is an experience every moviegoer should have. It's a shame that even with a recent release like THE MASTER that was able to strike 70mm prints that we can't get a new one for this. Oh well.
@Yojimbo - What do you mean "windowboxed"? Like black bars on all four sides? On a scope movie?
If that's the case, this will really bum me out. I was planning on going on Thursday, and was going to go out of my way to go to a 4K theater. But if they're not going to project this in 4K filling up all of the screen, it doesn't seem worth it.
Honestly though, I think they'd know better. After all, LOA is a 2:20:1 aspect ratio. If that has black boxes on all sides on the big screen it will look tiny as hell and everybody will complain. I know I would. My dad and I would walk out, refund our $12.50 tickets, and go see Looper for free for our trouble. Then I'd put that money toward blu-ray.
I expect they'll get it right. This is a big deal.
When I first heard about the rerelease, I was hoping that Sony would have gone and struck up a few 70mm prints for the reissue. But when I heard it would be a digital projection, I opted out.
Hopefully a 70mm print will pop up somewhere in the near future.
A 70mm print would have been nice, but if that were the case no one outside of LA and/or NY would ever lay eyes on it. Digital presentation allows a high definition presentation in any theater in the world equipped with a digital projector. IMO it's a justified compromise.
@ seannyd-Yes. West Side Story was presented with black bars on all sides. I can't say if LOA will be presented this way or not but I wouldn't want to bet the rent money on it.
West Side Story was also 2.20:1 OAR, so don't get your hopes up. No thanks; will probably order from Amazon UK (along with Bond 50) when I get some money later in the week.
For all of those who are tentative about seeing this in 4k digital rather than in 70mm, don't be. Run, and I mean run, to see this in 4k where you can and it is available. I have seen this masterpiece in 70mm twice (including the '88 restoration) and this 4k digital is the best it's ever looked.
I went to the afternoon screening today, and even some of the special features like an Omar Sharif intro and Martin Scorcese discussion were in 2:35:1 aspect ratio. The movie itself was displayed in the proper manner, though some idiot AMC employee stopped it during the overture. We'd had an on screen graphic telling us the overture and intermission would be blank (though the intermission had a countdown to return). He yelled 'Don't know why no picture! I'll fix it! I'll fast forward!'. We all yelled at him continuously that it was supposed to be that way but he ignored us. By the time the film started again, it was at the end of opening credits and saying 'Directed by David Lean'. So that's theater's fault, not Fathom.
The film looked great, and it WAS in the proper ration filling the screen. I just wish more of the behind the scenes and archive footage had been saved for the end of the film
Went last night and it looked amazing! That was easily one of the best theater experiences of my life. LOA is one of my top five as far as movies that intially had a huge impact on me and have maintained that impact every time I see them are concerned. I have been waiting for the blu-ray for years, and the chance to actually see it in a theater before hand was amazing.
I was blown away by the immensity of the landscapes like never before. This is a movie that screams for the big screen. So many scenes that I have seen probably two dozen times were brought to new and magnificent life. The opening motorcycle sequence for instance was far, far more engrossing in the theater. I felt thrilled by the drive in a way I never had which connected me to O'Toole's expressions during the ride on a visceral level for the first time. Just seeing the actors faces in such greater detail added new layers to their performances. It was a night of revelations for one of my absolute favorite movies; what a treat!
The only downside is that I am now going to be forced to seriously upsize my home viewing platform
BTW: Thank you so much Blu-Ray.com! I would have never known about the event if you hadn't posted it.
I saw it Thursday night at AMC Northpark in Dallas and it was fantastic. Like some others have said, it was truly amazing to see this great film on the big screen. The detail was mind blowing and the colors looked awesome. The landscapes were a sight to behold on the widescreen. The extras they showed before the film started were very good and it was great to hear Omar Sharif doing an introduction.
I really look forward to getting the bluray when it comes out. Colorworks did an excellent job.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is debuting the newly digitally restored presentation of 
