UBC – Day 12
The Movie – about Gertrude Bell
I hadn’t heard about Gertrude Bell, or the movie Queen of the Desert until listening to the radio, sometime after it was released and it’s run in the theatres had ended. It starred Australian actor/actress Nicole Kidman. I was listening to a guy, talking about Gertrude Bell, whose story was related in the movie. He explained that because there were no women historians in the early part of last century, their stories were ignored. Sad but true!
My research (on Google, of course) on Gertrude Bell came up with many stories about this amazing lady. It is worth reading the entry on Wikipedia as it will tell you much about her life.
Image of Gertrude Bell in 1909 (from Wikipedia).
A friend downloaded the movie for me about 12 months ago. When I sat down to watch it, the DVD jammed in my television and I never saw it. He was always going to fix it but didn’t find the time to do so. When I moved into my campervan and had no room for the large television, I left it at his home. Some six months later, he sent me a message that he got it out. Easily as it turns out. He and I had previously tried to get it out without success.
Thanks to the Library
By then I had borrowed the DVD from the library. It was a fabulous movie, and of particular interest to those who knew the story, the history and perhaps had some interest in the Middle East. There is so much to impress – the acting and the amazing photography of the desert and buildings. Gertrude was also a photographer.
I am waiting on one of the books about Gertrude’s life from the library.
Don’t Confuse with Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Whenever I mention the movie, people suspect I am talking about the Australian movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert which was made in 1994. Now that is a totally different movie, which I have seen several times. Priscilla is the name of the bus that transported several drag queens around the outback of Australia. You can read about it here, and if you want to watch the whole movie, you can watch here for free.
So, at long last, I have seen the movie – and enjoyed it.
#blogboost
#Ultimateblogchallenge
#aussidi
