The Beginning and the End

1960Movie2 h 10 min

81
GreatGoodWatch score

A moving, melancholic drama movie about history and family, with standout characters.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

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Not for laughs, warmth or comfort.

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Story

Set in the suburbs of Cairo in the late 1930s, the story follows a middle-class Egyptian family grappling with the hardships of life after the death of their father, their sole breadwinner. The mother and her four children—three brothers and their sister, Nefisah—struggle to avoid slipping into poverty. They all go in different directions which aren't exactly good.

Feels like

  • Egyptian Family Drama
  • 1930s Cairo
  • Poverty and Hardship
  • Post-Father's Death
  • Coming-of-Age Struggles
  • Social Commentary
  • Class Division
  • Family Dynamics
  • Melancholy Tone
  • Character-Driven

Cast

Crew

Directed by
Salah Abu Seif

Everyone

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Facts

October 31, 1960 · 2 h 10 min · Drama

Released
October 31, 1960
Runtime
2 h 10 min
Genres
Drama
Original language
Arabic
Made in
Egypt
Available in
15 countries

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Beginning and the End?"

Questions about The Beginning and the End

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Beginning and the End?

In the United States, The Beginning and the End streams on Shahid VIP. It also streams in 14 other countries.

Is The Beginning and the End worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81 (IMDb 8).

Is The Beginning and the End okay for kids?

Yes: the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is The Beginning and the End plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is The Beginning and the End in English?

Arabic

No, it was made in Arabic.