T. E. Lawrence References...
Prometheus Forum Topic

Zedwardson
MemberOvomorphMay 01, 20121647 Views27 RepliesSeems that there is a lot of T. E. Lawrence references so far. I wanted to make a thread that listed out all that people could find.
So far I have seen...
T. E. Lawrence enlisted in the RAF under the name "Shaw" After WWI.
"big things have small beginnings" Direct quote from the movie.
Ted Talk - Direct reference to T. E. Lawrence
David Viral - he painting a T.E. Lawrence figurine
Fifield - publisher of some of T.E. Lawrence literary works and also his fave author who he had it republished under Fifield publishing arm.
David - David looks are almost a direct copy of the movie's T.E. Lawrence.
Vickers - Vickers was a major WWI Machine gun supplied to the Arabs by T.E. Lawrence.
T.E. Lawrence was very involved in archeological digs
Anything else?
Other discussions started by Zedwardson
Replies to T. E. Lawrence References...

allinambercladMay 01, 2012
@Zedwardson
I noticed David's distinct physical resemblance to Lawrence/O'Toole and a few of the other things you mention did ring - but, for me, they rang like a distant bell, in a far off land.......I simply thought I was going mad, gave my head a shake, and resigned myself to it.
Apparently, I was wrong.
When I saw your elaboration of, "Vickers", my brain at last gave a sigh - and that sealed it: of [i]course.[/i]...
This is quite beautifully done.
There may be other parallels to find, but I consider it established.
Now, I'm much more curious to know how you interpret Lawrence's role - and whether you consider there is foreshadowing in that, as far as David is concerned?..

ZedwardsonMay 01, 2012
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Vickers_machine_gun_crew_with_gas_masks.jpg[/img]
WWI was a nasty bit of war. This is a vickers machine gun.

ZedwardsonMay 01, 2012
Well, if it "Echos" Lawrence of Arabia....
You would have Humans, Jockeys, and new species. Jockeys and species are fighting, and david helps one of them defeat the other, and Vickers/humans want to keep the wonderful genetic items david has created, while David wants them to be independent.
(For the non-history buffs, T.E. Lawrence helped the Arabs defeat the Turks, and he pressed that they be granted full independence, but Europe divided the Arabs up into colonies. )

Forever WarMay 01, 2012
I thought that what I've already proposed as far as plot and references was too far out to include my Lawerence nods, ...actually to David Lean...I see more tributes to other films and directors as well.
Well done

allinambercladMay 01, 2012
@Zedwardson
Yes - although, myself, I think that would be reading too much into Vickers, directly. A tool is just a tool, after all - he who wields it calls the shot...
Just a note, as far as those pictograms and images Hollaway briefs the team on?
At least one of the Dynastys is Sumer. Another is Mesoptamia.
It may be nothing - and I only recall it as those two things did enter my head and it seemed slightly pleonastic, at the time.
Now, however, I can't help wonder: Sumer....Mesopotamia....Syria....Iraq.....: Lawrence.

OutlanderMay 01, 2012
I think it's already been mentioned, but the background plates for LV-223 were shot in Wadi Rum, Jordan. This was part of Lawrence's stomping grounds during the war.
Also, it has been mentioned that David's role on the ship is one of a menial custodian.
Lawrence began as a minor clerk in the British HQ, until giving a very prominent role inleading the Arab Revolt against the Turks.
Perhaps this means, David is going to break out a have a large role in whatever happens.

allinambercladMay 01, 2012
@Outlander
If it's been mentioned, I haven't seen it: and, if fact, that is, [i]genuinely,[/i] fascinating.

BiomechanicMay 01, 2012
NecrofanMay 01, 2012
Zedwardson,
After reading your post, I almost passed out.
I love and study history as much as I do Science Fiction. I read the interview in which Ridley, Charlize, and Michael F. all commented on the parallels to 'Lawrence of Arabia,' but figured the topic would be lost in the midst of all the other threads.
The similarities are definitely there for a purpose. I have no idea what the exact purpose is, yet. And I do think the questions won't be answered until after the movie is released.

ZedwardsonMay 01, 2012
Also, as a note - T.E.L. was one of the first diggers at Eridu, which was one of the clues in the promotion materials.
(he was sent by the British to do diggings at sites, and also make detailed maps of water sources and so on for future British uses. )

allinambercladMay 01, 2012
@Zedwardson
I wonder, now, if it is it possible for a brain to actually tingle and - if a person [i]does[/i] find their brain is actually tingling - whether that is to be considered an event of a healthy kind?..

ZedwardsonMay 01, 2012
Glad you all like the post, and @clad, brain tingle is a good thing, i think.
Of course, David = David Lean, the director of Lawrence of Arabia. but I think that more of the A,B,C,D naming convention.

Forever WarMay 01, 2012
Yes, Zed....also Dave Bowman representing Mankind's ultimate evolutionary destination.
David from A. I.- another transformational character
David8....all that we now know suggests to me he is on a path as well....as the main theme of this film.
GuestMay 01, 2012
Great finds - vow! Another fact about TE Lawrence, not mentioned very often. In personal life, TE Lawrence was very gay indeed (as witnessed and described by, among others, Gore Vidal and Robert Graves). Are we perhaps looking at the first gay android?
FromCyprusMay 01, 2012
Anyone noticed the similarities between the wwi biowar masks and the space jockey suit-mask;

ZedwardsonMay 01, 2012
[img]http://kete.digitalnz.org/image_files/0000/0000/0066/A3136-2_large.jpg[/img]
I can see it.
And yes Wirm, he was gay and enjoyed being whipped as well. He was a kinky dude.

SpaceCobraMay 01, 2012
Biomechanic,
What? Are you talking about Lawrence's encounter with the Turkish Govenor? What do you mean sadistic?
Thanks!

BiomechanicMay 02, 2012

SpaceCobraMay 02, 2012
@Biomechanic,
Ahhh.. I forgot about that scene... it was on Saturday, and I watched part of it. Great flick. So ya, he does become sadistic... lol
GuestMay 02, 2012
I believe RS also stated David gradually develops a wicked sense of humor, which then somehow goes haywire - would fit neatly with TE Lawrence becoming sadistic, as seen in the David Lean-directed movie.
@Zedwardson
Wait a minute... David Lean? Well, you can supplement your great finds above with why the android gets the name David, I guess. Named after the director of L of Arabia
@SpaceCobra
I don't remember the Turkish Governor bit from the movie, but in real life, Lawrence got caught and raped by some Turkish authority figures.
On the sunnier side, Robert Graves chronicles some of Lawrence's gay romps at Oxford, and also emphasizes that Lawrence at Oxford was very much a prankster always inventing practical jokes (almost MIT-style).



