Khartoum
starring: Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Richard Johnson, Ralph Richardson, Alexander Knox
directed by: Eliot Elisofon, Basil Dearden
directed by: Eliot Elisofon, Basil Dearden
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Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the wily Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical maneuvering, and the unconventional heroics of another colorful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker
Description:
Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier face off in this epic, stirring drama of two men and two empires. Filmed in glorious CineramaÂ(r), with stunning desertbattles staged by the creator of the Ben-Hur chariot race, Khartoum is a "magnificently staged action spectacle [with] outstanding portrayals" (Boxoffice) and breathtaking cinematography.In 1883, British Prime Minister Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) dispatches General Charles Gordon (Heston) to Khartoum, Sudan, where thousands of civilians are threatened by a Muslim fanatic, the Mahdi (Olivier), and his army of followers. Gordon gains the Mahdi's respect but can't prevent the Mahdi's men from laying siege to the city. Now, as history hangs in the balance, Gordon faces the fight of his life defending the ancient city of Khartoum.*Heston: Actor, Ben-Hur (1959). Olivier: Actor, Hamlet (1948); Lifetime Achievement (1978); Outstanding Achievement as Actor, Producer and Director on Henry V (1946)
Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the wily Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical maneuvering, and the unconventional heroics of another colorful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker
Description:
Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier face off in this epic, stirring drama of two men and two empires. Filmed in glorious CineramaÂ(r), with stunning desertbattles staged by the creator of the Ben-Hur chariot race, Khartoum is a "magnificently staged action spectacle [with] outstanding portrayals" (Boxoffice) and breathtaking cinematography.In 1883, British Prime Minister Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) dispatches General Charles Gordon (Heston) to Khartoum, Sudan, where thousands of civilians are threatened by a Muslim fanatic, the Mahdi (Olivier), and his army of followers. Gordon gains the Mahdi's respect but can't prevent the Mahdi's men from laying siege to the city. Now, as history hangs in the balance, Gordon faces the fight of his life defending the ancient city of Khartoum.*Heston: Actor, Ben-Hur (1959). Olivier: Actor, Hamlet (1948); Lifetime Achievement (1978); Outstanding Achievement as Actor, Producer and Director on Henry V (1946)
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Khartoum
A great epic from the Cinerama days.A cast of thousands meant a cast of thousands, not just computer-generated masses.Laurence Olivier was marvelous and malevelent.
Rating: - Very good film with just one visual flaw
Let me say first of all this is an almost excellent film. Heston's great in it as Gordon, so's Olivier in the smaller but significant part of the muslim fanatic. The film is like 90% true story. The only reason I don't give it all five stars is in one shot when Gordon is outside and he and his men are fighting a small muslim army on horse back you can tell Heston really isn't outside and behind him is like a rear projection screen. But this one editing flaw doesn't by any means wreck the whole movie!
Rating: 
- "Oh my beloved!"
A slick balanced production, Chuck plays a great Pom and Olivier a believable if a little under enthused cleric. Great production values, cleaned up a treat....just the ticket for a rainy Sunday afternoon....recommended
Rating: - Clash on the Nile
Based on a true story from the 1880s, Khartoum tells of the clash between General Charles George Gordon and "The Madhi".The movie isn't always true to history.For instance, the two men never apparently met face to face and the desert campaigns are oversimplyfied.That said, the film is magnificent.There are no less than five large battle scenes from a truely epic clash near the beginning when the Madhists wipe out thousands of Egyptian soldiers to an armed riverboat fighting its way past a town ... Read More
Rating: - Ecellent Widescreen
This is great in widescreen at last! Had to depend on USA for that.
Well acted naturally with Charlton Heston and Sir Laurence Olivier.No comp spec effects, real people real action and good history.
To day it would have got the Pte Ryan treament, but still comes across "battle gore". Very well filmed and beautifully presented film.
- KhartoumA great epic from the Cinerama days.A cast of thousands meant a cast of thousands, not just computer-generated masses.Laurence Olivier was marvelous and malevelent.
- Very good film with just one visual flawLet me say first of all this is an almost excellent film. Heston's great in it as Gordon, so's Olivier in the smaller but significant part of the muslim fanatic. The film is like 90% true story. The only reason I don't give it all five stars is in one shot when Gordon is outside and he and his men are fighting a small muslim army on horse back you can tell Heston really isn't outside and behind him is like a rear projection screen. But this one editing flaw doesn't by any means wreck the whole movie!
- "Oh my beloved!"A slick balanced production, Chuck plays a great Pom and Olivier a believable if a little under enthused cleric. Great production values, cleaned up a treat....just the ticket for a rainy Sunday afternoon....recommended
- Clash on the NileBased on a true story from the 1880s, Khartoum tells of the clash between General Charles George Gordon and "The Madhi".The movie isn't always true to history.For instance, the two men never apparently met face to face and the desert campaigns are oversimplyfied.That said, the film is magnificent.There are no less than five large battle scenes from a truely epic clash near the beginning when the Madhists wipe out thousands of Egyptian soldiers to an armed riverboat fighting its way past a town ... Read More
- Ecellent WidescreenThis is great in widescreen at last! Had to depend on USA for that.
Well acted naturally with Charlton Heston and Sir Laurence Olivier.No comp spec effects, real people real action and good history.
To day it would have got the Pte Ryan treament, but still comes across "battle gore". Very well filmed and beautifully presented film.
