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It is one of the greatest moments in cinema. In the sweeping historical drama “Lawrence of Arabia,” the young British diplomat-adventurer T.E. Lawrence — played unforgettably by actor Peter O’Toole — has convinced a group of Arab tribes to mount a surprise attack against the Ottoman Empire, from whom they are seeking independence. Lawrence leads a band of these Bedouin warriors across the desert, approaching the Ottoman port of Aqaba from the rear. They cross the desert in blistering heat, braving swirling sandstorms.
At one point, they discover that one of the Arab soldiers, Gasim, has fallen off his camel. Lawrence instantly decides that he must turn around and find the lost man. Sherif Ali, the chief Arab leader, played in the movie by Omar Sharif, objects. Another character tells Lawrence, “Gasim’s time has come, Lawrence. It is written.” Lawrence snaps back, “Nothing is written!” Then he turns around, ventures back, searches amid the sands and cyclones, and finds Gasim staggering about, half-dead. Lawrence brings him back to the camp to a hero’s welcome. When Sherif Ali offers water, Lawrence looks at him and, before quenching his thirst, calmly repeats, “Nothing is written.”

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