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Lawrence of Arabia

In his history of the Oscars, Paul Gambaccini discovers how David Lean's epic won the Best Picture Award in 1963. From February 2008.

It's the moment every movie director and actor dreams of - the gold envelope is slowly opened and the Oscar goes to... them!

Paul Gambaccini reveals how David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia won the Best Picture Award in 1963.

But - away from the red carpet and the bright lights and the tearful speeches - what do the Academy's decisions tell us about the state of America?

Are the awards a hotline to the American psyche, revealing an array of political, cultural and social calculations - conscious or unconscious - behind what are presented as purely artistic judgements.

Producers: Sara Jane Hall and Paul Kobrak

First broadcast on Radio 4 in February 2008.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 19 Feb 2022 00:30

Broadcasts

  • Sat 2 Feb 2008 10:30
  • Sun 7 Sep 2008 23:00
  • Tue 7 Mar 2017 18:30
  • Wed 8 Mar 2017 00:30
  • Fri 18 Feb 2022 18:30
  • Sat 19 Feb 2022 00:30

The Business of Film

The Business of Film

Mark Kermode reveals the economic realities behind the film industry.