Restored 'Lawrence of Arabia' on the way

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Posted July 18, 2012

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Peter O'Toole in a scene from 'Lawrence of Arabia.' (Credit: AP)

Earlier this month, Peter O'Toole, who turns 80 in August, announced he's retiring.

Now, one of his most famous works, Lawrence of Arabia, returns to the big screen 50 years after its 1962 premiere in a special, digitally-restored version of the Director's Cut.

The restored film was shown at the Cannes film festival in May. On Thursday, a U.S. premiere is planned in Los Angeles at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (O'Toole won't be there and Omar Sharif sent a taped message from Paris).

Lawrence of Arabia will make its theatrical debut Oct. 4. It will be available in a Blu-ray collectible box set starting Nov. 13 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. And it will be featured for one night only on Turner Classic Movies, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.