Columbia / TriStar

Region 1 - NTSC

2.20:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.95 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.20:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 4.21 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.20:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.84 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

Columbia / TriStar (Limited 2 Disc Ed.)

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Columbia / TriStar (Single Disc)

Columbia / TriStar (Superbit on 2 Discs)

English DD 5.1

English DD & DTS 5.1

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 2.20:1

Edition Details:
• 12 page mini reproduction from the original 1962 souvenir booklet
• Gracefully animated menus
• DVD-ROM: Behind the scenes photos, interactive map of the Middle East
• The Making of Lawrence of Arabia doc. 61:24 min.
• Conversation with Steven Spielberg 8:48 min.
• Wind, Sand and Star: The Making of a Classic 4:33 min.
• The Camels Are Cast 1:59 min.
• In Search of Lawrence 4:59 min.
• Romance of Arabia 4:39 min.
• Advertising Campaigns: montage of publicity materials 4:50 min.
• New York Premiere newsreel 1:07 min.
• Trailer for Lawrence of Arabia 4:42 min.
• Trailer for Bridge On The River Kwai 3:08 min.
• Trailer for The Guns of Navarone 3:42 min.

DVD Release Date: 04/03/01
Clothbound Plastic Keepcase

Chapters 56
 

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.20:1

Edition Details:
• Single page chapter list insert
• Static menus
• No extras per discount pricing

 

Chapters 56

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 2.20:1

Edition Details:
• Single page chapter list insert
• Static Menus
• No extras per Superbit

 

Chapters 56

 - Enrique B Chamorro

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA - All the Columbia-TriStar DVDs come from the newest version of the film, upgraded further since the tremendous 1989 restoration and reissue.  This includes some digital cleaning of the soundtrack not possible then, but the newest Superbit DVD has more picture depth and a wider palette of colors than the previous DVDs.  Robert Harris, who was primary in saving the film to begin with, participated in the Superbit edition’s transfer.  On a very expensive video projector/home theater set-up, I viewed the Superbit recently.  It still was missing some detail and depth, but there is so much detail in the cinematography by Freddie Young, B.S.C., that it will take Digital High Definition to really do this film right on home video anyhow.  The Superbit is the best we are going to get until then.  As for the sound, the Dolby Digital 5.1 never cut it in the Limited Edition or its successors, but the DTS on the Superbit (DTS was also offered in the latest round of 70mm bookings) is much more like it, finally offering the fullness and impact the original magnetic stereo tracks did in 70mm prints.  There is some wow and warping of sound and music that remains after the restoration, that occurred unnecessarily when the film wasted away far too long in the Columbia Pictures vaults until it was saved.  The greatness of this film is undeniable and we can enjoy it for generations to come, especially in a better version like the Superbit edition.  If a Superbit Deluxe is ever made, it should have more extras than the Limited Edition does now, including 1989 premiere footage that did make the 12” LaserDisc box from Criterion.  Too bad Steven Spielberg did not audiotape the "audio commentary" that occurred when he watched the film with Lean.

Nicholas Sheffo from FulvueDrive-In.com