A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia - Themes

Themes

• Racism: The film shows numerous scenes in which the European diplomats discriminate against the Arab envoy, going so far as to refuse to have them participate in the conference as an equitable partner (this is also because of politics.) In one of the last scenes, an ANZAC officer (unnamed but meant to be General Harry Chauvel) states that he will not let "his victory" (the conquest of Damascus) be taken away by a band of "marauding tribesmen." At the end, after Lawrence has sent a letter promising independence to the Arabs to a British newspaper, he is accused of having "betrayed his country and his race for heathen aliens."

• Politics: As hinted at the end of David Lean's film, European politicians would not do justice to the promises Lawrence made to Feisal during the Arab campaign. France emphasises her interests in Syria and denies the native Arabs governance over one of the areas the Allies had conquered. Moreover, while watching a workman handling petroleum, Lawrence makes a statement that has resonance today, "t's all about oil".

• Identity and Legitimacy: Lawrence was illegitimate, a fact known to his superiors and at least suspected by the media. His parents were never married, and the name "Lawrence" was assumed. Lawrence muses on this, noting that he has no real name, and that others will decide his identity, much as the powers who emerged from WWI will impose decide the borders and the identity of the Arab states.

• Homosexuality: T.E. Lawrence's alleged homosexuality is hinted at, when, during their encounters, Feisal and Lawrence behave quite tenderly towards one another. In a pivotal moment, when Lawrence tries to organize a last-ditch effort to save Feisal's claims, Mme. Dumont, a French envoy's wife, tries to seduce him (a fictional scene). Although this could possibly be his last hope, Lawrence states under a mixture of laughter and tears that he is "not capable of this task." This scene may also be interpreted as Lawrence's steadfast moral stance. Immediately following, Lawrence is reported as having been mistaken for a pleasure-boy in Arabia by Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen (Jim Carter), another member of the Hejaz delegation. His sexual orientation is further suggested by his taking a bath in the officer's bath tub. Soon after A Dangerous Man was produced, however, Meinertzhagen's diary entries on Lawrence, including such alleged scenes as these, were proven to have been largely fabricated, and with malicious intent.

• Homages: Although it does not possess the visual grandeur of the earlier Lawrence, the film refers to images from David Lean's movie. In a parallel to Lawrence's death by a road accident, he is shown driving a "borrowed" bike along a road and narrowly dodging two horse-riders. After Lawrence takes a bath, his face is seen fading beyond the vapour on the mirror. This is similar to Peter O'Toole's last scenes in the original, where he is shown in a mirror image, behind a curtain and a car's windscreen.