Werner Herzog's Epic About Gertrude Bell Struggled to Find Its Footing With Critics
In short: Werner Herzog returned to feature filmmaking with a biographical drama about Gertrude Bell, the influential British explorer and diplomat. Despite an ambitious scope and a star-studded cast, the production faced significant delays and ultimately failed to resonate with audiences or reviewers, resulting in a major financial shortfall for the project.
The film chronicles the life of Gertrude Bell, a woman who rejected the stifling expectations of the British elite to pursue a life of exploration in the Near East. Her journey begins in Tehran, where she serves alongside her uncle and experiences a tragic romance with Henry Cadogan. Following this loss, Bell dedicates her existence to mapping the desert and engaging with tribal leaders, eventually playing a pivotal role in the formation of modern Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The narrative portrays her as a formidable figure, often described as a female counterpart to Lawrence of Arabia.
Bringing this story to the screen proved difficult for Herzog, who encountered numerous casting obstacles. Naomi Watts was initially attached to the lead role before Nicole Kidman took over, while James Franco replaced Jude Law as Cadogan due to scheduling conflicts. Principal photography spanned several months between late 2013 and early 2014, utilizing locations in Morocco, Jordan, and England. The production relied heavily on local support, involving over 1,500 Moroccan extras and dozens of technicians to capture the vast desert landscapes.
Upon its debut at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival, the movie received largely unfavorable feedback. Critics frequently described the pacing as sluggish and the emotional impact as muted, with some reviewers noting that the film lacked the signature intensity usually associated with Herzog’s work. While Kidman’s performance as Bell and Robert Pattinson’s turn as T. E. Lawrence earned praise, the overall consensus labeled the project a muddled disappointment. Commercially, the film struggled significantly, earning only $2 million against a production budget of $36 million.
The reception highlights a disconnect between the film's grand subject matter and its execution. While some critics appreciated the respectful portrayal of Bell’s historical contributions, others felt the film failed to capture the psychological depth required for such a complex life. Ultimately, the project serves as a curious chapter in Herzog’s filmography, representing his most conventional attempt at a large-scale historical epic, yet failing to achieve the critical or financial success that such a narrative might have promised.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Queen of the Desert (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Queen of the Desert · CC0
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