TV Tuesday: Letters From Baghdad (2017)

 

Letters From Baghdad - 2017

On this edition of TV Tuesday, we feature a unique documentary.  2017's "Letters From Baghdad" tells the story of Gertrude Bell, who in her time, was more famous that Lawrence of Arabia.  It's told exclusively through letters, diary entries, and writings from herself and from people who knew her.

The film's cast includes Tilda Swinton, Michael Higgs, Eric Loscheider, Rachael Stirling, Adam Astill, Helen Ryan, Joanna David, Michelle Eugene, Rose Leslie, and Pip Torrens.

For those who don't know, Gertrude Bell was a woman whose time and experiences in the Middle East, in particular Arabia and Iraq, gave her enormous insight into the inner workings of the political life of various tribes.  In time, she would be called upon to make the borders of some of the countries that we know today.

Gertrude's stepmother takes us through her formative years.  How at the age of three, she lost her mother shortly after the birth of a younger brother.

Gertrude's time at Oxford and introduction to the East with a visit to Tehran are also explored.  She has a romance with Henry Cadogan, however this was relationship was later squashed by her family.

After Tehran, Gertrude spent quite a bit of time mountain climbing.  She enjoyed pushing herself to the limits.

She later travels to Syria where she explores archaeological ruins.  Her own photographs add more life to the segment.  "I have seldom felt the ancient world come so close," she says.

Gertrude now moves to Baghdad, where she assists after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.  She helps the British government make lists of all the tribes and astonishes various sheiks by her knowledge of innerworkings of their own tribes.

She also makes time for the archaeological pursuits that she loves, exploring Babylon and the surrounding areas.

Gertrude is later called upon to help in the selection of a native-born Arab ruler.  With Winston Churchill and T.E. Lawrence in Egypt, she helps to select Faisal, the son of the Sherif of Mecca, to become King of Iraq.

Faisal is duly appointed as King of Iraq with Gertrude becoming his closest advisor.  She later writes, "You may rely on this: I’ll never engage in making kings again.  It’s too great a strain."

Eventually, Gertrude settles down to become the director of antiquities in Iraq, a position she held until her untimely death in 1926.

Cast rundown:

   Tilda Swinton........................................Gertrude Bell (voice only)

   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

   Michelle Eugene.....................................Dorothy Van Ess

   Rose Leslie............................................Young Gertrude Bell (voice only)

   Pip Torrens............................................Dick Doughty-Wylie (voice only)

And that's it for Letters From Baghdad.  It's a fantastic look at a fascinating woman.  As previously stated, the film makes use of diaries, letters, and other writings of various individuals involved with Bell's life.  Also, there is a lot of previously unseen film footage from the time period, which further brings the world of Gertrude Bell to life.

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