Colin Farrell Names the Film He Calls “Maddeningly Brilliant”

Colin Farrell once called ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ “maddeningly brilliant” In a 2016 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Colin Farrell shared the titles of his five favorite films, showing just how wide-ranging his tastes are.

Among his picks, one film stood out above the rest: David Lean’s 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia, featuring Peter O’Toole in what many consider his defining role. Farrell admitted, “This is just maddeningly brilliant. At once sweeping and epic, and yet searingly personal, thanks to the incredible work of Peter O’Toole.”

He added that the film “feels like a perfect piece of cinema to me.”

Lawrence of Arabia tells the story of T. E. Lawrence and his experiences during World War I in the Ottoman provinces of Hejaz and Syria. The film covers Lawrence’s daring attacks on Aqaba and Damascus, and his efforts with the Arab National Council.

It explores his internal struggles, his conflicts with the violence of war, and his divided loyalty between Britain and the Arabian tribes he comes to respect and fight alongside.

The cast includes Peter O’Toole as Lawrence, Alec Guinness as Prince Faisal, and features performances by Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, and others. The screenplay was written by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson, while the production was handled by Sam Spiegel and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Lawrence of Arabia was a major critical success. At the 1963 Academy Awards, it received ten nominations and won seven, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The film also earned the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Drama and multiple BAFTA awards. Critics praised Maurice Jarre’s sweeping score and Freddie Young’s Super Panavision 70 cinematography.

Over time, Lawrence of Arabia has been recognized as one of the greatest films ever made. In 1991, the United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The American Film Institute ranked it fifth on their list of greatest American films in 1998 and seventh in 2007.

The British Film Institute named it the third-greatest British film in 1999, and in 2004 The Sunday Telegraph voted it the best British film according to leading filmmakers.

Farrell’s admiration for the film highlights how he values the combination of epic storytelling and personal nuance, something that clearly influences his own approach to acting.

What do you think of Farrell’s pick? Do you agree that Lawrence of Arabia is a masterpiece, or do you have another favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments.