Letters From Baghdad (2016)

Gertrude Bell, the most powerful woman in the British Empire in her day, shaped the destiny of Iraq after WWI in ways that still reverberate today.

Directors:

Sabine Krayenbühl, Zeva Oelbaum

Stars:

Tilda Swinton, Michael Higgs, Eric Loscheider

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tilda Swinton	...	Gertrude Bell (voice)
Michael Higgs	...	General Sir Gilbert Clayton
Eric Loscheider	...	T.E. Lawrence
Rachael Stirling	...	Vita Sackville-West
Adam Astill	...	Sgt. Frank Stafford
Helen Ryan	...	Lady Florence Bell
Joanna David	...	Janet Courtney
Elizabeth Rider	...	Lady Elsa Richmond
Jürgen Kalwa	...	Dr. Friedrich Rosen
Tom Chadbon	...	Sir Valentine 'Domnul' Chirol
Simon Chandler	...	David Hogarth
Lucy Robinson	...	Lady Molly Trevelyan
Andrew Havill	...	Sir Percy Cox
Anthony Edridge	...	Sir Arnold 'A.T.' Wilson
Nicholas Woodeson	...	General Sir George MacMunn

Storyline

Gertrude Lowthian Bell, sometimes called the "female" Lawrence of Arabia was a British adventurer, archaeologist and political powerhouse, who helped shape the modern Middle East after World War I. Voiced and executive produced by Tilda Swinton, the film chronicles Bell's journey into the uncharted Arabian desert and all-male halls of colonial power with never-seen-before archival footage of the region shot a century ago. The film takes us into a past that is eerily current.

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Plot Keywords:

reenactment | british | iraq | archival footage | middle east | 

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Taglines:

Gertrude Bell was as controversial as the history she made.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Goofs

This factual mistake happens in the German version. In the movie a title card reads: "Capture of Baghdad from the Turks: General Maude's Victory, March 11, 1917". This of course means that British forces under General Maude have captured Baghdad. However, the German version subtitles this as "Einnahme Bagdads durch die Türken: General Maudes Sieg, 11. März 1917". This translates as "Turkish forces capture Baghdad: General Maude's Victory, March 11, 1917". An obvious mistake.

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Connections

Features Mit dem Auto ins Morgenland (1926)

User Reviews

Incredible Woman

And a great documentary about her. The period photos and movies are astonishing and well presented. Nicole Kidman played her. But this is authentic. Tilda Swinton's narration as Gertrude Bell Is perfect.

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA France

Language:

English Arabic

Release Date:

12 November 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Letters From Baghdad

Filming Locations:

UK

Box Office

Budget:

$950,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,725, 4 June 2017

Gross USA:

$359,735

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$502,941

Company Credits

Production Co:

Between the Rivers Productions, Letters From Baghdad, Missing in Action Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Black and White (archival footage) Black and White (Super 16mm)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1 / (high definition)