The answer to the above question is a qualifiable ‘no’. Don’t fret, we’re not regressing to the days of ‘flippers’, but Columbia Tristar Home Video is preparing a feast for fans with their new 2-disc DVD set of the eagerly anticipated Lawrence of Arabia for this April.

This beautiful, sweeping epic, directed by David Lean, features an incredible cast that includes Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, José Ferre, Anthony Quayle, and the great Claude Rains. Often cited among the top 10 favorites of fans and critics alike, it appears that Columbia is going to do it up right.

The set will feature the restored 216-minute cut released theatrically in 1989 and will be presented in an anamorphic widescreen transfer with a Dolby Digital 5.1 English soundtrack. The second disc will be loaded with bonuses, including a new 62-minute ‘making-of’ documentary and eight (!!!) additional featurettes (‘The New York Premiere,’ ‘The Making of A Classic,’ ‘Romance Of Arabia’, ‘The Marketing Of Lawrence,’ ‘In Search of Lawrence’ and ‘The Camels Are Cast’). The last featurette, ‘A Conversation With Spielberg,’ features director Steven Spielberg talking about the impact of the movie. Also on the disc, ‘Journey With Lawrence’ will be a photo gallery detailing the real Lawrence’s trek.

This set will have the same collectible book-like packaging as Columbia’s “Bridge On The River Kwai” release, and, also like that disc, will include a collectible booklet with production notes.

Lawrence of Arabia is scheduled for release on April 3rd. The suggested retail price has not yet been announced, but who cares? We want this one very badly…