Lawrence of Arabia is widely considered one of the ten greatest films ever made--though more often by film goers and filmmakers than by critics. This study argues that the film is a unique blend of visionary image-making, narrative power, mythopoetic charm and psychological acuteness; far from being a Boy's Own Tale, it is one of popular cinema's greatest tragedies. This volume brings together a critical analysis of the film and an account of its tangled production history--combining these elements with the story of attempts by Alexander Korda and others to bring Lawrence's story to the screen.