As with all lists of this kind, any film on top would elicit debate. What would not be debated, however, is the sheer greatness of this 1962 David Lean epic.

Playing the writer whose work the film is based on, O'Toole stands his own effortlessly among a superb ensemble cast. Lawrence is an ordinary adventurer, but as his travails across the deserts of Arabia continue, he dons various garbs: of leader, traveller, seeker of wisdom.

Arabia recontextualises Lawrence and thrusts greatness upon him. O'Toole takes the formidable role and thrusts immortality upon it.