Lawrence of Arabia

A two-part documentary revealing the story of British intelligence officer, TE Lawrence. After a childhood spent striving for physical and academic achievement leads to a place at Oxford University, Lawrence's passion for medieval history sees him head an expedition to study the crusader castles of Syria where he gains invaluable knowledge of the Arabs and their culture. While employed as an archaeologist, he is recruited by British intelligence to monitor Turkish activities and, after World War I begins, he becomes an intelligence officer in the British Army. He gathers information about an Arab revolt planned against Turkish rulers and a British promise of independence for the Arabs, later rescinded, prompts them to join the war on the British side. Torn by conflicting loyalties, Lawrence continues to assist the Arabs and ultimately leads them in a daring attack on the Turkish port of Aqaba which proves to be a stunning success. Part 1 of 2.