Lawrence of Arabia

After checking over his machine, T. E. Lawrence sets off on his motorcycle. Neil Rigby advises that this is Church Street, Betchworth, Surrey, in front of St Michael's church. (RL)

Adrian Turner was quick off the mark to provide this comparative shot of the scene 58 years later and virtually unchanged apart from the trees which prevent a better photograph. He adds "This would have been a second unit shot with the white gates and milk churns brought in to convey the idea of a farmyard entrance. Behind the camera is the church which made an appearance in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. (RL)

Thomas Edward Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) rides along the quiet Dorset roads. Stonehill Road between Chobham and Chertsey in Surrey.

Neil Murray replaces his Google shot from March 2020 with this original. Stonehill Road between Chobham and Chertsey in Surrey, near Old Chertsey Road. (SJ)

The former Army Officer safely negotiates road works before losing control of the Brough Superior motorbike when swerving to avoid two boys who cycle into his path. Facing south on Stonehill Road, Chobham Common, Dunstall Green.

Another replacement by Neil Murray. Passing 2 Stonehill Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8HP. (SJ)

The first of three added stills, but in sequence, from Neil Murray. Location unknown; possibly Stonehill Road, Chobham, Surrey.

Staple Hill Road, Chobham, Surrey.

Neil again replaces his Google view with this attractive shot. Staple Hill Road, Chobham, Surrey, near Jubilee Mount Car Park. (SJ)

Staple Hill Road, Chobham, Surrey.

Lawrence's memorial service is held at at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

You can't get the same angle now, as Peter discovered.

The camera tilts down the West Front as the mourners leave after the service. St. Paul's Churchyard is also seen in 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire'.

Peter kept his feet on he ground for this shot.

A Reporter (Jack Hedley) asks fellow journalist Jackson E. Bentley (Arthur Kennedy) for some comments about 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

The steps of St. Paul's Cathedral on Ludgate Hill by Peter.

Lieutenant General Sir Archibald J. Murray (Donald Wolfit) mutters about remembering when Lawrence was stationed in Cairo. Passing Queen Anne's statue in front of St. Paul's Cathedral on Ludgate Hill on EC4.

Peter captured the same railings.

In flashback, T. E. Lawrence leaves Cairo in search of Prince Feisal, guided by Majid. This is Wadi Rum in Jordan.

An additional capture added by SJ ...

... for the reason of matching this shot from Calvin Brady who visited Wadi Rum and, by self-admitted fluke, came close to matching the angle in 2008. (SJ)

The combined armies of Prince Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi attack the city of Aquba. A set built at Playa del Algarrobico near Carboneras in Andalusia, Spain.

The shot ends as the irregular cavalry reaches the beach. North of Carboneras on the Mediterranean coast in Andalusia.

"Aqaba", Algarrobico Beach near Carboneras captured by Filippo from Turin who points out the small white boards which once described scenes from the film.

On the evening after the battle is won, Lawrence rides along the shore before he is joined by Sherif Ali.

After passing through a sandstorm on the long journey from Aquba to Cairo, Lawrence and his servant Farraj (Michel Ray) come across a huddle of derelict buildings.

Farraj encourages 'El Aurens' to dismount and follow him.

Having walked through the deserted buildings, the two look across the Suez Canal as a motorcyclist approaches on the opposite bank.

An establishing shot of the bustling streets of Cairo. Manuel Gurtner tells us that this scene was filmed in Almeria, Andalusia. The yellow painted tram was the then withdrawn, and originally blue painted, streetcar N° 63 of the Sociedad Malagueña de Tranvías, built in 1905 at Charleroi, Belgium.

Filippo from Turin is a fan of the film who attended the first Italian screening on 27th March 1964 and he provides this comparison from one of his many visits to the location.

A small army truck makes its way through traffic and pedestrians. Identified by Manuel, this is the same spot at the Parque Nicolás Salmerón along the waterfront of Almeria, looking towards the stairway up to the corner by Paseo de San Luis and Calle de la Reina.

The scene now taken by Filippo who adds that "At one time in Almeria, information boards recalling the filming locations of various productions were provided, but have since disappeared."

Lawrence looks out from the back of the truck as it passes through the city.

The truck arrives at the Headquarters of the British Army and the Driver (Peter Dukelow) drops the tailgate. This is the Palaçio Español in the Plaza de España in Seville, Andalusia.

The same location. (PW)

The Driver questions Lawrence for taking Farraj inside. Plaza de España in Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

The same view 53 years on. (PW)

Lawrence and Farraj head to the Officers Mess. The Palaçio Español in Seville, also seen in 'Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones' and 'The Dictator'.

Captured before the masses of tourists arrived. (PW)

Following his promotion to Major, Lawrence explains his tactics to General Allenby (Jack Hawkins), Mr. Dryden (Claude Rains) and Colonel Brighton (Anthony Quayle). The courtyard of Hotel Alfonso XIII on Calle San Fernando in Seville.

Not quite the right angle but it is a lovely hotel. (PW)

Lawrence looks up at the officers watching from above. The first floor gallery of the courtyard of Palaçio Español in Plaza de España.

After agreeing to supply Lawrence's Arab army, General Allenby tells Mr. Dryden and Colonel Brighton that he will not give them artillery.

Palaçio Español in Seville, Spain. (PW)

In Aquba, one of Prince Feisal's Servants walks beside donkeys laden with luggage.

Approaching the Servant, Jackson Bentley asks if he can lead him to the Prince.

Bentley introduces himself to Prince Faisal bin Hussein bin Ali al-Hashimi (Alec Guinness) and asks where Lawrence is.

On the narrow gauge Hedjaz Railway between Damascus and Medina, equipped with modern weapons by General Allenby, Lawrence uses explosives to interrupt supplies for the Ottoman armed forces. Manuel Gurtner tells us that this is not at the Arabian Peninsula, but in Andalusia with his unique dune landscape east of Almeria with the Sierra Alhamilla mountain range on the horizon. Two miles of broad gauge tracks were laid especially for the spectacular filming. Withdrawn RENFE rolling stock was used for the Ottoman trains, such as the tender loco 130-2035, built in 1886 by Cockerill, as well as two-axle carriages, built in 1912 by CAF de Beasain.

Manuel advises that the raid on the horse transport of the Ottoman Army was realised at the more southern section of the 2-mile-stretch through the dune area, situated between the two creeks Rambla de Las Amoladeras and Rambla de Morales. In addition to 14 open goods wagons, 200 horses were also used, as well as two replicas of the Rolls-Royce Armoured car from 1914. On the horizon the characteristic mountain ranges of La Serrata and Sierra del Cabo de Gata are visible.

In Deraa, Lawrence and Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif) cross a muddy road in front of a Bey's car.

Believing that he can pass for an Arab, Lawrence tries to think of a way that he can "announce himself" to the enemy.

Enemy troops approach and challenge the two strangers.

Sherif Ali waits outside the enemy quarters as Lawrence is beaten.

A band marches along a Cairo street.

Now dressed in his Army uniform, Lawrence watches the band before entering the Officers Club. The main entrance of Casa de Pilatos on Plaza de Pilatos in Seville.

The same archway. (PW)

The changed man walks through the courtyard of the club. Casa de Pilatos, Seville.

The location now, taken by Steve Randall.

When he catches up with them, the Club Secretary (Jack Gwillim) and an Officer (Bruce Beeby) tell Lawrence that they've built a squash court. The Main Courtyard of Casa de Pilatos, Plaza de Pilatos in Seville.

Steve Randall provides this comparison.

Soldiers parade after Damascus is taken. Plaza de América in Maria Luisa Park, Seville with the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (Museum of Popular Arts And Traditions) in the background.

The same background building, formerly the Mudéjar Pavilion. (PW)

General Allenby arrives to find that the Arabs have occupied the city. Plaza de América in Seville.

Lawrence visits the Turkish Hospital after hearing about the terrible conditions.