Good Essay About Comparison Of The Representation Of Decolonization In Lawrence Of Arabia And Battle Of Algiers.

The struggle for decolonization depicts incidences where groups engaged each other in armed struggle. The colonizers and those under the colonialism engaged in wars that led to atrocities against civilians that later led to demonstrations and riots from nationalists and civil societies. However, a major difference arises in that the movies were produced to show the events that occurred during the armed struggles. The two most popular movies include the Lawrence of Arabia and Battle of Algiers which show variation in the context in which each occurred. While Battle of Algiers paints a more precise picture of the real situation in struggle for decolonization, Lawrence of Arabia paints a picture of a hero who was able to successfully defeat the enemies.
Lawrence of Arabia shows the heroic and autobiographical account of Lawrence’s adventure in the Arabian world. Right from the start, Lawrence relishes the challenge in the Arabian Desert unlike his colleagues who are reluctant to go to the desert. He is, therefore, depicted as a desert-loving British Army officer in spite of the major challenges such as lack of water that are associated with life in the Arabian Desert. This implies that the Arabian Desert life is used to prove the heroic trait of Lawrence as he undergoes hardships in the desert. The film conveys the ability of Lawrence to use his astonishing understanding of the political affairs and values of the Middle East to unify Arab tribal communities to resist the opponents of the British like the Turks who were happened to be allies of Germany. The heroism of Lawrence in the film is shown by his conquest of Aqaba, his capture and torture at the hands of the Turks as well as the massacre of Tafas in which Lawrence is largely involved. Lawrence’s experience in the Arab Peninsula during the First World War depicts someone who was able to overcome hardships in places where many viewed as unbearable. His attacks on Aqaba and Damascus made him a hero since it was believed that he his own identity and the new friends he acquired from the Arab tribes were key to his victories.
The heroics of Lawrence made it possible for the British soldiers to deny the Turks from gaining control of the Suez Canal which was a strategic location for the military personnel. The movie also depicts capabilities of Lawrence as an outspoken and brave person who could face the enemy without fear. His attacks on Aqaba was among the most visionary attacks that Lawrence thought of since the city was a strategic location in which the soldiers could offload their supplies. Conquering the port was, therefore, a heroic act for Lawrence which then made him the person capable of successfully carrying out attacks on Arab Turks. In the movie, Lawrence and his team manage to cross the Nefud desert which is considered impassable where they travel day and night without water. His colleague, Gashim, is overcome with fatigue and falls of from his horse without being noticed. However, when Lawrence realizes that Gashim is not with them, he goes back to the desert to save him to the astonishment of the rest of the team. This makes Sherif Ali to give Lawrence his Arab robes to wear. Lawrence victory over the Turks is also a sign of heroism which sees him promoted to the rank of a major. As a major, he is given arms and money from the Arabs which enables him to launch more Guerrilla attacks on the Turks. Even with torture from the Turks after being captured, Lawrence is able to survive after being thrown into the streets. He goes ahead to be promoted as a colonel and is eventually sent back to his native home.
Lawrence of Arabia is presented from a western perspective, whereas the Battle of Algiers is less biased and more objective. The Battle of Algiers movie, however, shifts from the heroism nature of Lawrence of Arabia and shows the real situation that surrounds struggle for decolonization. The film is more of a reality because of its settings that show the actual events that took place during the war. Real locations in the European quarter and the fact that the film was filmed in Algeria shows the reality intended in the movie. Casbah, the town that sheltered the FLN is also used in the movie hence further proving the reality depicted in the movie. Irregular resistance attacks are carried out on French police by individuals who after the attacks disappear back into the population such that it is difficult to trace them. This makes the French police rely on informers to provide information on the plans and tactics used by the Algerian rebellion groups. Bombs are planted by women and children who could not be suspected hence depicting the effects of the war on the civilians. The other reality that presents itself in the movie Battle of Algiers is the fact that rebels are captured, interrogated and tortured to betray names and plans of their colleagues.
The betrayal tactics were, therefore, viewed by the French troops as the only way through which the insurgence by the rebels could be suppressed. The movie shows how the French suppression of the 1950 Algerian uprising was an extraordinary experience. Torture scenes are laid out in the film without any self-conscious emotional effect where suspects are tortured while naked as well as clipped with electrodes on their ears before being electrocuted. Such scenes are major realties that occurred during struggles for decolonization in countries that were colonies of Western nations. In the movie Battle for Algiers, tough soldiers are depicted by the nature in which they launched guerilla attacks and used illegal methods to contain the Algerian revolution. The French army paratroops continued to hunt for the National Liberation Front leaders and supporters with intentions to neutralize the whole leadership through assassination and were captured for torture. This makes the struggle a reality since suppression of leaders responsible for carrying out rebellious acts was widely used by the colonialists who saw revolution leaders as a threat to successful colonization. Nationalists and civil society groups engage in demonstrations and riots that in turn lead to death and capture of hundreds who are then locked up in the cells and tortured through electrocution. The major effect of decolonization efforts is seen where civilians are killed by both the colonizers and those who are colonized as they seek for support from individuals to participate in the guerrilla warfare. While terrorism was used to launch attacks on the Europeans, the French commanders reacted by executing Algerian criminals and using indiscriminative violence against the opposition. The French paratroops used torture, murder and intimidating acts to suppress the rebellious nature of Algerians. The atrocities committed against the civilians and those suspected to collaborate with the French, therefore, prove the reality in war for decolonization.
In conclusion, while the movie Lawrence of Arabia paints a picture of hero who was able to survive the harsh conditions of the desert and the torture by the Turks, Battle of Algiers shows the reality of events that surround decolonization. Such events include death of civilians, demonstrations and riots as well as use of informers and torture in efforts to acquire critical information form rebel leaders.