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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
DVD Description
Language: German (Mono), Italian (Mono), English (Stereo), French (Stereo), Spanish (Mono) Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, English, German
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
On this 1966 epic film Charlton Heston plays the British general Charles Gordon, who died figthing the upraise of the Mahaidi muslim fanatics in Khartoum.
Heston gives a very convincing portrayal of the Brithish hero and Laurence Olivier plays an impressive Mahaidi. Also with Ralph Richardson and Nigel Green, this Basil Dearden film is a very nice epic story filled with strong and interesting carachters, action sequences and beautifull sceneary.
The DVD presents a 2.35 widescreen format print with very nice colors and stereo sound.At this price it's a must!
Heston gives a very convincing portrayal of the Brithish hero and Laurence Olivier plays an impressive Mahaidi. Also with Ralph Richardson and Nigel Green, this Basil Dearden film is a very nice epic story filled with strong and interesting carachters, action sequences and beautifull sceneary.
The DVD presents a 2.35 widescreen format print with very nice colors and stereo sound.At this price it's a must!
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Though the historical events in this film took place in 1884-85, there are aspects of it that remind one of today's headlines; this is a sadly underrated film, with a fantastic cast, massive battle scenes, and a beautifully written script about an extraordinary man.
There are scenes that take "artistic license", but the film is quite accurate in its facts on General Gordon; a military genius who hated war, a deeply religious man who worked to end slavery, and who fell in love with the desolate scorching sands and the people of the Sudan.
There are scenes that take "artistic license", but the film is quite accurate in its facts on General Gordon; a military genius who hated war, a deeply religious man who worked to end slavery, and who fell in love with the desolate scorching sands and the people of the Sudan.
The pairing of Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier is fabulous, and their scenes together are riveting. Heston is gaunt in this film, to closer portray the slightly built Gordon, and speaks with a subtle but excellent English accent; Olivier is the fanatic who calls himself The Mahdi ("The Expected One"), waging a holy war with his followers to destroy anyone who opposes his beliefs, with the aim of conquering the world for his fundamentalist faith.
Other wonderful performances come from Richard Johnson as Col. Stewart, Ralph Richardson as Prime Minister Gladstone, Nigel Green as Gen Wolseley, and Johnny Sekka is a delight as Gordon's servant Khaleel.
After British-led Egyptian forces are massacred by The Mahdi's insurgents, the British government asks Egypt to give up the Sudan, and General Gordon is called to evacuate the European and Egyptian civilians from the Sudan; he stays to ward off the terrorists and the siege of Khartoum takes place.
The sweeping panoramas of the desert and the Nile river are sumptuous (cinematography by Edward Scaife), and the Frank Cordell score is terrific, though it owes a bit to Maurice Jarre's music for "Lawrence of Arabia"; released 6 years earlier, "Lawrence" has some comparisons to this film, as they are both about adventurous men of courage who felt comfortable in Arab lands.
This film sparked my imagination and made me want to know more about Gordon's fascinating life and the history that surrounded him, and it is one I could watch repeatedly. Total running time is 134 minutes.
"...but there is this: A world with no room for the Gordons, is a world that will return to the sands".
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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!!!
Khartoum has everything a good colonial film should contain. Set in an exotic location, has charm, desparation and never forgetting the action!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Love it
I've enjoyed this film for many a year & was so pleased with the quality of the DVD. Charlton Heaston is superb in the main role. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Azrael
A "Boy's Own" adventure film
Directors Basil Dearden and Eliot Elisofon had a great group of stars in Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Richard Johnson, Ralph Richardson and Alexander Knox to portray this... Read more
Published 5 months ago by RR Waller
God go with you. And I don't envy God.
Khartoum tells the story of British general Sir Charles Gordon (Charlton Heston) who accepted the assignment of liberating English citizens and Egyptians from the Sudan city of... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Spike Owen
A Visual Desert Feast
What a wonderful film that never fails to enthral as Gordon, a most devout follower of his own faith, opposes another, the Mahdi - the Chosen One, whose own zeal is portrayed with... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Casuist
Great movie, poor print
I love this movie, but what I don't like is paying for a UK DVD and finding the quality of the MGM Region 2 PAL disc is poor. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Julian Hughes
The desert at it's best
Saw this in the cinema on release and a few times over the years. Was unprepared for the Interval but enjoyed as much this time as the last time I saw it.
Published 17 months ago by Mrs. P. R. Bugg
Dervish war
The movie about the war in Sudan in the 1880ies - or the Mahdist War - centers around three formidable characters. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ole Vatten
Gordon of Khartoum
They say what goes around, comes around, and that History repeats itself. This epic film built around the career of General Gordon in his attempt to further the British Governments... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Dougy
Great movie...
This is one of my favorite Charlton Heston movies and is about General Gordon and his stuborn stand at Khartoum in 1885 during the war in the Sudan. Read more
Published 23 months ago by escole1
another amazing service from Indigo Starfish
once again my order had reached me before the computer was cold. very good service, could recommend them to all
Published 23 months ago by Helena Gray
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