The Beginning and the End Ending Explained: 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. Directed by Salah Abu Seif, this 1960 drama film stars Omar Sharif (Hassanein), alongside Sanaa Gamil as Nefisah, Farid Shawqy as Hassan, Kamal Hussein as Hussein. With a 8.2/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.

What Happens at the End of The Beginning and the End?

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.

Salah Abu Seif's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Omar Sharif (Hassanein)'s journey. The mother and her four children—three brothers and their sister, Nefisah—struggle to avoid slipping into poverty.

How Does Omar Sharif (Hassanein)'s Story End?

  • Omar Sharif: Omar Sharif's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Salah Abu Seif delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 2h 10m runtime.
  • Sanaa Gamil (Nefisah): Sanaa Gamil's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
  • Farid Shawqy (Hassan): Farid Shawqy's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Beginning and the End Mean?

The Beginning and the End concludes with Salah Abu Seif reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Omar Sharif leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.