Khartoum

1966

Action / Adventure / Drama / History / War

24
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 100% · 10 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 66% · 1K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 8948 8.9K

epic africa siege british empire islam sudan

Director

Basil Dearden Photo
Basil Dearden

Top cast

Ronald Leigh-Hunt Photo
Ronald Leigh-Hunt as Lord Northbrook
Ralph Michael Photo
Ralph Michael as Sir Charles Dilke
Roger Delgado Photo
Roger Delgado as
Nigel Green Photo
Nigel Green as Gen. Wolseley
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
926.26 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles
23.976 fps
2 hr 8 min
Seeds 5
1.95 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles
23.976 fps
2 hr 8 min
Seeds 7

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by barnabyrudge 7 / 10

Under-rated historical epic, surprisingly accurate for a movie of this kind.

Reviewed by ma-cortes 8 / 10

Breathtaking movie with two exceptional actors : Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier

This large scale epic film is rightly based on historic deeds . Set in the Sudan , in 1884-85 , and deals with the Major General Gordon (Charlton Heston , but Burt Lancaster turned down the role) who participated in Crimea war (1854-56) and vanquished the Taeping's riots in China is assigned by Gladstone (Prime Minister and leader of Liberal party who along with Disraeli -Tory leader- forged the colonial empire) stifle Sudan's rebellious tribes ruled by the Mahdi (Laurence Olivier), nicknamed the ¨expected one¨ . The devout Christian Gordon had been governor of Khartoum for five years and he will have to dominate them but is besieged by the Arabs tribes in 1884 . The Anglo-Egyptian forces led by Major Gordon made a heroic defense during ten months against the invading Muslim army . The expedition of help commanded by Lord Wolsey and the famous Kitchener (who soon after he'd finish Anglo-Boer war and created the first concentration camp) would arrive late .The picture has extraordinary interpretations from main actors . Charlton Heston as the thoughtful and impulsive General Charles George Gordon is top-notch and Laurence Olivier as the fanatic Muslim is awesome . Heston actually did bear a remarkable resemblance to Major General Gordon , but he was considerably taller than the real Gordon . While Laurence Olivier has an extreme make-up to incarnate the religious fanatic , Ahmed El Mahdi , ¨the Expected One¨ . The support cast is equally outstanding , thus : Ralph Richardson (as Gladstone), Nigel Green (Wolsey) , Peter Arne (Kitchener) , among others . The film was based on facts , though was really criticized for neglecting to mention the many very good reasons why Prime Minister Gladstone was reluctant to send an army into the Sudan . The colorful and shimmer cinematography by Edward Scaife is magnificent , being well reflected in desert landscapes ; it was shot in Ultra Panavision , though was later reduced for exhibition in 70mm and 35mm release prints . Production design is overwhelming , it is the best part of the film , including a giant screen originally exhibited in Cinerama venues . Battles staged by Yakima Canutt are spellbound and spectacular . Frank Cordell's musical score is rousing and impressively adjusted to historical film . The motion picture was perfectly directed by Basil Dearden , though Lewis Gilbert was attached as director at one point . The yarn will appeal to historic epic buffs and Charlton Heston fans . Rating : Very Good . Above average, well worth watching .
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