At a major media event, film producer Sam Spiegel prematurely told the British press that his first choice to play Lawrence was Marlon Brando, who at the time was the same age Lawrence had been in 1917. When Spiegel announced this choice, one incredulous reporter asked, "Will it be a speaking part?" referring to the Method actor's renowned mumbling. Days after the conference, Brando's spokesperson said that he had yet to sign for the role. Eventually, he would decline the role because of his commitment to the re-make of Mutiny on the Bounty (1962). As reports of his temperamental and disruptive behavior during that costly film project filtered out to the public, Spiegel and director David Lean were relieved that they did not have to work with him.

At the time when Spiegel purchased the screen rights to the book, Seven Pillars of Wisdom from Lawrence's brother Professor A.W. Lawrence, word leaked out about the sale. Spiegel then called a press conference in 1959 to announce the film project (Lawrence of Arabia). Professor Lawrence told the press that after years of withholding his approval of a film on his brother, he had finally agreed because he liked Wilson's script. He also told them that he had been paid 30,000 pounds for the book and that his only control over the production was the right to withhold the use of the book's title.

When Peter O'Toole got the coveted title role over Brando, his performance was called "mercurial". The press gave him high praise.

More Info: www.bfi.org.uk