A new feature length documentary has been screened which asks the question: was one of Britain's greatest war heroes Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence) murdered or did he die in a tragic motorbike accident?
The documentary deftly reviews Lawrence’s character, the events before and after of the crash, the motives as to why Lawrence might of being removed and who might want to have removed him.
The documentary uses excerpts from the feature film from 2021 “Lawrence : After Arabia” to show the various events around the crash and then provides input from experts – filmed incidentally in TE Lawrence’s old room at Jesus College Oxford - to comment on and add weight to the evidence presented. Experts include specialists in motorcycle crashes, T.E. Lawrence, Arab studies, assassination and probability analysis – a novel way of analysing the various scenarios.
The crash is graphically portrayed, the inquest shows the incredible flaws in the final verdict of “accidental death” and motives and suspects are discussed convincingly.
The film has already won “Best Documentary” at five film festivals and the production values defy the small budget.
It is clear where director/writer Mark J.T. Griffin's opinion lies - possibly the first state-sponsored murder by the British Secret Service, and certainly not the last.
The relevance of Lawrence to current events in the Middle East are shown underlining the brutality of his end and how, had he lived, he would have not allowed events in the Middle East to take the course that they have.
The film is an impressive documentary debut by Mark J.T. Griffin, whose passion is rooted in the film. The film is screening at selected venues in Dorset through November (Moreton, Wimborne, Poole) and is expected to reach streaming platforms shortly afterwards.
You can watch the film here:
November 8 Moreton, Village Hall
November 12 Poole, Lighthouse Cinema
November 19 Lymington, Malt Centre
Tickets are available at www.lawrenceafterarabia.co.uk/events
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