Epic Movies Returning to Local Theaters

Those 1980's action mainstays — Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dolph Lungren — are currently enjoying box-office success with “The Expendables 2.”

Harrison Ford wasn’t invited to that party, but one of his most iconic characters is returning to theaters this coming weekend.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark: The IMAX Experience" begins this weekend on Friday, Sept. 7 and runs for just one week on selected screens nationwide.

The remastered film will be shown locally at Great Escape Simpsonville. The theater is located at 780 South St.

While Raiders of the Lost Ark is grand, campy fun, another celluoid classic with a more refined pedigree also is back for a movie-house revival.

That film is “Lawrence of Arabia,” which returns early next month in honor of the film’s 50th anniversary. Locally, Great Escape Simpsonville and Greenville’s Hollywood 20, located at 1029 Woodruff Road, will screen the classic film in two showings for one day only on October 4. 

The masterpiece, directed by David Lean (“Bridge Over the River Kwai," “Doctor Zhivago”) depicts the life of British officer and author T.E. Lawrence’s experiences in Arabia during World War I and afterwards.   

The film features cinematography that remains stunning even on TV screens, and terrific performances from Sir Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn, in addition to O’Toole’s Oscar-nominated performance as the titular Lawrence.

It may also be the last time you'll get to see the legendary O'Toole on the silver screen. Earlier this year, the actor announced he was retiring. 

“It’s time for me to chuck in the sponge,” O’Toole told the LA Times. Thankfully, one of his greatest acting achievements is back on the big screen for a new generation of movie lovers to enjoy.