The Bottom Line
I can’t think of another DVD box set that provides so much entertainment that will be enjoyed by almost anyone. Two of the films—“Lawrence of Arabia” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai”—are great, and the third—“A Passage to India”—is very good indeed.
Pros
- 3 movies nominated for a total of 29 Academy Awards and won 15
- 3 absorbing stories set against 3 spectacular backdrops
- 3 films provide a total of 9 hours of movies appealing to a wide audience
Cons
- DVD set provides little in the way of bonus materials
Description
- Box set containing 3-disc DVD collection of outstanding movies directed by David Lean, including:
- “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) starring Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif
- “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957) starring Alec Guinness and William Holden
- “A Passage to India” (1984) starring Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee, and Peggy Ashcroft
- All 3 movies are in anamorphic widescreen format, in Technicolor, and rated PG
- Only extra of any consequence is “Reflections of David Lean” (8 min.)
- Excellent picture and sound quality
Guide Review - "The David Lean Collection" DVD Review
This boxed set deepened my appreciation of director David Lean’s ability to create movies of epic grandeur. “Lawrence of Arabia,” which ranks 5th on the American Film Institute’s list of great films, chronicles the adventures of eccentric Englishman T.E. Lawrence, who rallied the Arabs to fight the Turks during World War I. What I love about this movie is that it’s one of the most cinematic films I’ve ever seen, while at the same time it creates a nuanced character study of the enigmatic, complex Lawrence. “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” which ranks 13th on AFI’s great movie list, tells the curious tale of a British army officer who commands a group of POWs building a bridge for the Japanese in World War II Burma. I’ve always admired Alec Guinness’ Oscar-winning performance as the brave Col. Nicholson who ends up going a little mad, and I find the finale in this movie both exciting and satisfying. “A Passage to India,” adapted from E.M. Forster’s famous novel, recounts the events in 1920s India surrounding a confused young Englishwoman’s claim that she was raped by an Indian man. I think this movie is superbly acted and psychologically, sociologically, and politically complex. In terms of story, character, and spectacle, all three movies are masterful.
