One of the greatest films of all time is getting a touch-up and a theatrical re-release.  Per USA Today, a special, digitally-restored version of the Lawrence of Arabia director’s cut is heading back to theaters later this year, followed by a Blu-ray release and a one time only showing on the best network ever, Turner Classic Movies.  For those that haven’t seen the pic, director David Lean’s 1962 epic stars Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence and follows his experiences in Arabia during World War I.  The restored director’s cut was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in May and will have its U.S. Premiere this Thursday.  Hit the jump for more, including how you can experience the restored film for yourself.

Turner Classic Movies is not only a great TV station, but is also serves as an archivist.  Their moving year-end “Remembers” montages highlight not just the famous faces we lost, but the character actors, cinematographers, writers, and other cinematic artists who didn’t get publication-spanning obituaries at the time of their passing.  TCM has footage of all of almost all of the artists we lost in 2011 and they’ve once again woven a touching tribute.

In 2011, we lost some good ones including Pete Postlethwaite, Peter Falk, Cliff Robertson, Jane Russell, Elizabeth Taylor, Laura Ziskin, and Sidney Lumet.  As far as editing goes, I think the “TCM Remembers 2010″ video is better, but they’re both worth your time so I’ve included both after the jump.