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      Letters From Baghdad

      Released Jun 2, 2017 1h 35m Documentary TRAILER for Letters from Baghdad: Trailer 1 List Letters from Baghdad: Trailer 1 Letters from Baghdad: Trailer 1 2:12 View more videos
      84% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 64% Audience Score 500+ Ratings The story of Gertrude Bell, who helped shape Iraq's destiny following WWI. Read More Read Less

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      Letters From Baghdad

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      Critics Reviews

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      Mark Feeney Boston Globe [Tilda] Swinton's vocal performance as Bell is so vivid and absorbing. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 20, 2017 Full Review Adam Graham Detroit News Only the most loyal of Bell buffs need apply, everyone else would be better off sticking to her Wikipedia entry. Rated: C- Jul 14, 2017 Full Review G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle The result is something that feels fresh and modern. Rated: 4/4 Jun 14, 2017 Full Review Erin Blackwell Bay Area Reporter Directors Zeva Oelbaum and Sabine Kayenbuehl have meticulously crafted an overly cautious but much-needed corrective to USA's disastrous, ongoing campaign of oil-based misinformation. Jun 8, 2020 Full Review Mary Pelletier Hyperallergic Watching the film feels almost like sifting through an archive yourself: The old footage, still photographs, and newspaper clippings are refreshingly displayed without contemporary commentary; the filmmakers have left that to us. Feb 6, 2020 Full Review Cate Marquis We Are Movie Geeks Despite its flaws, this documentary is worth one's patience simply to learn about this important but forgotten historical figure, and a remarkable woman far ahead of her time. Apr 29, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Merrick S Superb in every way. Timeless and timely. Gertrude Bell, like TE Lawrence, was an explorer and intelligence officer whose intimate knowledge of the Middle East led her to advocate for the establishment of independent states after the WW1 demise of the Ottoman Empire. A portrait of an apparently fearless proto-feminist heroine which also brims with insight into the tragic origins of present-day chaos. As one would expect from a project involving Thelma Schoomaker, Scorsese's long-time editor, the assemblage of vintage photography and film is nothing short of astonishing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/20 Full Review Audience Member Soooo slow moving and quite boring. No change of pace. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review brent m An inventive documentary offering telling the story of a remarkable woman whose recommendations, if they had been listened to, may have spared many much needless hardship. Told through extensive archive footage and the actual words of historic figures, the film provides an array of insights of both a personal and political nature, a rare fusion indeed. Admittedly, the narrative would have benefited from some additional historical context to help elucidate the presented content, but, this aside, the film gives viewers a candid look into the life of someone who wielded considerable influence -- and may have been able to accomplish even more were it not for the archaic prejudices of her day. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Patchy and disjointed. In their effort to be 'pure' on historic material, the producers failed to fill in the real history of this fascinating woman. A little scripted narrative and some good graphic maps would have vastly improved this flick. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating to have the details filled in and in such an interesting compilation is original photos and commentary by those who knew Bells story intimately. I enjoyed seeing T.E. Lawrence in his British uniform. The Arabs remember her fondly, and that speaks volumes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Fabulous movie. I was riveted from beginning to end. I felt like I had traveled in time and space. 2 intelligent historians spent 5 years gathering and complying archival film for the visual part of this art piece. Fascinating footage of Iraq and the surrounding area. Critics who say the film should include other historians giving their view or that the film should explore more the political context of then and now are so off-base. The directors have made every effort to provide the history as documented in letters and on film by the people who lived it. Don't miss seeing this important film about a brave and talented person who risked everything to love and know and protect "Mesopotamia". Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Letters From Baghdad

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      Letters From Baghdad

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis The story of Gertrude Bell, who helped shape Iraq's destiny following WWI.
      Director
      Sabine Krayenbühl, Zeva Oelbaum
      Distributor
      Between the Rivers Productions
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jun 2, 2017, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jan 3, 2019
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $307.2K
      Runtime
      1h 35m
      Sound Mix
      Dolby
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