Queen of the Desert

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Queen of the Desert

PG-13

2017

2h 8m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

17%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

37%

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1,000+ Ratings

Gertrude Bell's life as an explorer, cartographer, and archaeologist for the British Empire.

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Critics Consensus

Queen of the Desert unites some undeniably talented professionals, but it's difficult to discern what drew them together -- or understand how its compelling real-life story became such a muddled mess.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Apr 14, 2017

2/4

As stunningly picturesque as all of this undeniably proves to be, Queen of the Desert is a barren emotional quagmire, Bell's incredible story deserving of so much more than this movie sadly proves to be willing to offer.

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Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

Apr 13, 2017

2/4

The result is a well-made invitation to nod off.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Apr 13, 2017

Bell was an extraordinary figure, tailor-made for a dazzling presence like Kidman, but Werner Herzog, directing his own script, unwisely structures Bell's story around her intimate relationships with men.

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Christos Tsiolkas

The Saturday Paper

Aug 19, 2026

A film so misguided, when it is talented people getting it so wrong, is disheartening. The whole thing feels like mimicry and the filmmakers, the audience and Gertrude Bell herself – we’ve all been cheapened.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Nov 10, 2023

[It] demonstrated that Herzog can fail big, as well as on a DIY scale.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 4, 2022

1.5/4

The director fails to find a dramatic framework through which to view his subject.

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R T.

@RT49092198 May 21, 2026

I thought this film showed the beauty side of living through war and peace. I love how it brings awareness to an important era, and the acting/ directing/ production brought me back in time. Thank you.

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Lev R

@BjornOslo Mar 14, 2026

I think that despite the beauty of some of the cinematography, this leans too heavily into romance at the expense of Bell being a renowned polymath. Early on in Tehran she says she wants to learn Farsi and yet a few scenes later she hasn't even picked up "Thank you" when she's at a market. It's also odd that one British ambassador mocks Queen Victoria and that the 3rd embassy secretary sounds American (which he is: James Franco).

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Beks C

@beks22 Mar 8, 2026

I love historical dramas and this was a really good one. Nicole Kidman is perfect as Gertrude Bell. I also loved Robert Pattinson as Lawrence of Arabia.

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Liz P

@Mslucy657 Feb 4, 2026

Sometimes these rotten tomatoes needs a review! I definitely give this movie thumbs up.

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Rebecca T

@RT67497741 Apr 10, 2025

I thought this movie was superb. It is a visually beautiful, well acted, moving real-life story—genuinely dumbfounded at the low ratings.

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Michael A

@Kinich61 Feb 8, 2024

Queen of Desert's miscasting is so incredibly bad it almost makes one cry. Kidman is usually so great though certainly not here. It's like if the actors and director know this movie is going to flunk in a major way. Watch Lawrence of Arabia instead or to compare how this very important topic should have been treated at each level. While Franco was somewhat miscast, Pattison is way not credible as Lawrence at all. Kidman looks more like she should be her father's younger wife than his daughter, why she took on this role leaves one feeling bewildered and sad since she is typically such a great actress and seems to choose her roles wisely. Sad, sad, sad.

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Werner Herzog

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Nicole Kidman

Gertrude Bell

James Franco

Henry Cadogan

Robert Pattinson

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Synopsis

Gertrude Bell's life as an explorer, cartographer, and archaeologist for the British Empire.

Director: Werner Herzog
Producer: Michael Benaroya, Cassian Elwes, Nick N. Raslan
Screenwriter: Werner Herzog
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Raslan Company of America, Benaroya Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Brief Nudity)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 14, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 6, 2017
Runtime: 2h 8m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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