A Letter from Beirut (1979): cast, story & where to watch
1979 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1979, A Letter from Beirut is a drama and documentary film directed by Jocelyne Saab, running about 50 minutes.
What it’s about. Letter from Beirut documents the filmmaker's return to Beirut during one of the lulls, three years after the outbreak of the civil war, animated by the urge to return. She is confronted by the physical, emotional and psychological ravages of the war, terrified and sorrowful, she cannot find her place in the city. In that quest, she communicates with everyday people, friends, neighbors, people riding the bus across the city's eastern and western flanks. To pace her journeying and dramatic unraveling of the film, Saab borrows the guise of a letter read in a voice-over, written by world-renowned poet Etel Adnan. A rare document from the civil war, Letter from Beirut lays bare and spontaneously how people make sense of their everyday in the midst of chaos, violence, terror and sorrow.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, A Letter from Beirut has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch A Letter from Beirut page.
If you liked it. Fans of A Letter from Beirut tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch A Letter from Beirut (1979)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for A Letter from Beirut change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is A Letter from Beirut worth watching?
- A Letter from Beirut holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was A Letter from Beirut released?
- A Letter from Beirut was released in 1979, with a runtime of about 50 minutes.