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Khartoum [1966]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

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 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 manoeuvring and the unconventional heroics of another colourful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker


A old classic
Review date: 2008-11-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Khartoum is a old classic, the classic kolossal war-historic movie, dominated by a giant like Heston, perfectly fitted for the role of Gordon Pasha (also like in 55 days in Peking or in Ben Hur). A good plot (that well depicted the historical contest) well done battle and action scenes, an excellent soundtrack. What else ?

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Reviews


I was at the opening night in Paris when 14 years old!...
Review date: 2007-10-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

And you justly would say... so what?
Well in the first place it was a CINERAMA kind of big screen and the fact that I had convinced my grandaunt (sister of my grandmother) to go there was a small colonial campaign itself... after all she married an exiled Russian noble (who didn't before the second world war.... Paris was full of them!).
OK OK OK getting to the point... it was and is a grand epic movie... seldom has Heston acted the part so well... and the disaster of Hick's pasha Egyptian army made an excellent opening...
I enjoyed immensely... then and up to now.
A pity no more scenes are dedicated to the relief column or either the Abu Klea wells battle... but life isn't perfect.
The cast is magnificent and the ambiance and exteriors true to life... the departure of Gordon from one of London's railway stations is how movies should be... (Ralph Richardson's acting is superb as usual)
An old favorite of mine.

ENJOY

ADB

Old fashioned historical action oriented biopic
Review date: 2007-09-22 Rating: 6 out of 10

As a boy, Khartoum was the sort of movie that you looked forward to watching on TV on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. The epic battles are exciting and the tension of the siege and possibility of relief by the British forces is palpable. However, as with many sub- David Lean epics from the period, the script has dated horribly and the casting of Laurence Olivier as the Sudanese religious fanatic, the 'Madhi', is paticularly distracting.
Charlton Heston is his usual heroic, stiff and stoic self, this time as the British hero Charles 'Chinese' Gordon.

The essence of the story is to draw parallels between the two leads. Both are driven by a heady and dangerous blend of religious conviction and personal vanity. This theme, along with the well constructed action scenes, are what save this film, keeping it watchable even today despite its flaws.
On the surface though it is a poe-faced piece of imperialist propaganda; a look back from the 1960s onto a 'better' time when Britain ruled the waves and the scramble for influence in Africa was in the process of erupting.
Gordon is (and was in real life) the sort of maverick figure that movies are often centered on and which history treats more kindly than his contemporaries ever would. His personal agenda, and his letters to a new phenomenon - a 'tabloid' style press - helped to force the hand of a reluctant British government. In fairness the politics of the period are explored in a reasonably accurate way.

As a nostalgic experience, rewatching a much loved film from yesteryear with an adults eye there is much to enjoy.
However, for most viewers the assumed cultural superiority and the apparent rightness of what Kipling called "the white man's burden", combined with a rather leaden acting style from the two stars may be a step too far for a modern audience.

THE GREATEST
Review date: 2006-01-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Khartoum brilliantly portrays General Gordons struggle as he attempts to defend the ancient city of Khartoum. It also shows the British government's struggle in convincing Gordon to leave. The Mahdi (played by Laurence OLivier) is shown as an extreme, unstoppable nutter.
Khartoum has everything a good colonial film should contain. Set in an exotic location, has charm, desparation and never forgetting the action!!!

A view of Empire that the politically correct won't like
Review date: 2004-10-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a superb film. Charlton Heston is the lead; he plays the part of 'China' Gordon, whose task is to stop the spread of the Mad Mehdi ( a mad Islamist, hellbent on spreading Islam via Fire and Sword) at Khartoum , Sudan. He displays both heroic bravery and strong Fundamentalist Christian Faith and would reccomend this to anyone looking for an example of the very best of those leaders of the British Empire.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Ralph Richardson
Richard Johnson
Laurence Olivier
Alexander Knox
Charlton Heston

Creators:
Charlton Heston (Primary Contributor)
Laurence Olivier (Primary Contributor)
Edward Scaife (Cinematographer)
Fergus McDonell (Editor)
Julian Blaustein (Producer)
Robert Ardrey (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070009606
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-03-31
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 123 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1966-06-15
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: German (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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