Khartoum
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Movie Reviews of Khartoum
Movie Review: One of the best Cinerama spectaculars
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1962, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer started to use three camera Cinerama to tell stories rather than travelogues. But in 1963, three camera Cinerama was relegated to the trash heap and Ultra Panavision, a 70mm anamorphic process giving a 2.75 aspect ratio, was used for Cinerama movies. The depth generated by the technology was replaced with the director's ability to set up scenes that would not get distorted on the large curved screen. Of course, all the technology in the world can not replace an intelligent story and the story-telling Cinerama movies had its ups and downs. Here is one of the highlights. A fascinating, little-known history lesson is made into an intelligent action spectacular written by an author who specializes in African history, Robert Ardrey. In the tradition of "Lawrence of Arabia," we get a psychological and political analysis, a mixture of action set pieces directed by the remarkable Yakima Canutt (the director of the chariot race in "Ben-Hur") and character analysis directed by Basil Dearden. The acting is phenomenal. Charlton Heston does his finest acting since "Ben-Hur" and Laurence Olivier is outstanding, even frightening. But do not forget Ralph Richardson, Richard Johnson and the rest of the cast. They are all equally effective. I believe the reason that this film was not more of a success or more appreciated was a timing issue: it was released during the summer. Not a good time to release a film situated in the Sudanese desert. Even "Lawrence of Arabia" was released right before Christmas. The five star rating is for the film. Now, for the DVD, MGM continues its practice of delivering the worst product. Of course, this is a member of their less expensive collection and my criticisms are little. First, the titles have been changed. The original titles were presented on a backdrop of royal blue while the letters were thin, gold and contained jewels. Here, they appear as yellow letters from a word processing package on a black background. Why was it changed? Second, the aspect ratio is 2.35 rather than the Ultra Panavision 70mm 2.75. Third, the sound is absolutely horrendous. It must be monaural. No bass, no depth, no surround effects. The explosions shook the theatre. Here, they disappear into the background. Still, despite the presentation, with only a couple of artifacts in the film, it is still an excellent motion picture that more and more people should discover.Movie Review: A thinking person's action spectacular
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is one of the great intellectual, action movies in the tradition of "Lawrence of Arabia!" The sharp screenplay by Robert Ardrey, an African historian, is crammed with ideas: colonialism, religion, fate, politics, etc. At the same time, it is an incredible recreation of the battles surrounding that period of history and the siege of Khartoum. The battle sequences were directed by none other than Yakima Canutt, the legendary director for the chariot race in "Ben-Hur." Charlton Heston's performance as General Gordon is one of his finest. Laurence Olivier's performance as the Mahdi is outstanding and will leave you a little spooked as he reveals the mind of an Islamic fanatic. This film was not a hit in the United States. I believe that is because it was released in the summer and a movie about the desert should never be released then. ("Lawrence of Arabia" was released right before Christmas.) If released in the winter, it would have done much better business and been given more respect as part of the traditonal end-of-year important films. It was also released in Cinerama, the defunct curved screen process, making the film's incredible photography and direction truly spectacular. And it explains some of the photography angles. I see the DVD is not preserving the original 2.75 Cinerama/Ultra Panavision aspect ratio ("Hello, MGM! Wake up!") but no matter. This is one of the finest historical films you will ever see. And with the recent trajedies, it is even more pertinent. History does repeat itself! One of the finest lines in the film is when General Gordon, Charlton Heston, says to the Mahdi, Laurence Olivier, "While I may die of your miracle, you will surely die of mine." It really does not get much better than this.Movie Review: Khartoum in Cinerama
Summary: 5 Stars
1966's Khartoum is an all star Cinerama achievement, based on the true story of the British Sudan set during the early to mid-1880's. Beautifully and epically filmed in three locations in Egypt, plus in London.
See this breathtaking Cinerama motion picture the way it was meant to be watched - in widescreen, coupled with today's crisp stereo surround sound.
The movie is based on a very important historical confrontation between Victorian English General Charles 'Chinese' Gordon, played by Charlton Heston, and a radical Muslim warlord who believed himself to be Islamic 'Mahdi' or 'The Expected One', played by the marvelously well cast English actor, Laurence Olivier. The Mahdi declares a total jihad against all infidels (sounds like today).
Ironically the current Islamic dictatorship of OPEC's Iran have publicly stated they are attempting to provoke the 'return of the Mahdi' so he can 'assist the Muslims in destroying the infidels'. History does indeed repeat itself.
Some of the other exceptional cast members include:
Richard Johnson ... Col. J.D.H. Stewart
Ralph Richardson ... William Gladstone
Alexander Knox ... Sir Evelyn Baring
Johnny Sekka ... Khaleel
Michael Hordern ... Lord Granville
Zia Mohyeddin ... Zobeir Pasha
Marne Maitland ... Sheikh Osman
Nigel Green ... Gen. Wolseley
Peter Arne ... Maj. Kitchener
Oscar nominated English composer Frank Cordell's rousing musical score will pleasingly linger after viewing the this exceptional film.
Khartoum -- where the Nile divides, the great Cinerama adventure begins!
Movie Review: Clash on the Nile
Summary: 5 Stars
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 to the final epic fall of the city. Oh yes, a battle I believe meant to represent Abu Klea (and perhaps another fight) was more accurate then the recent "Four Feathers" film in that the British actually hold off the Islamic assault. The battles were done by the man who executed the brilliant stunts in the "Ben-Hur" chariot race. The musical score is appropriate for the film and the cinematography is pretty good.
The acting is really what helps the movie though. Charleton Heston presents a sympatheic though complex Gordon. Excentric, devoutly Christian, brave, at times ruthless when he feels he needs to be, and truely caring for the mostly Muslim population of the city; all of these fit the character Heston portrays. Olivier does an excellent job protraying the fanatical and ruthless "Mahdi" determined to sweep across the Islamic world in a wave of fury. The resulting clash between these two powerful men ultimately makes for a good story. I recommend it.
Oh, there are a couple of Osprey campaign series books on the Sudanese war if anyones wishes to look them up on Amazon. They are "Khartoum" and "Omdurman".
Movie Review: David Lucero's review of KHARTOUM
Summary: 5 Stars
In the tradition of Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, The Wind and the Lion, this movie holds its own in KHARTOUM. As a boy I was always fascinated by the adventures of the British kingdom and its long influence throughout the world. This movie made me do research on one of the main characters, General 'Chinese' Gordon, a hero in the British military for having fought and brought a halt to illegal opium trade in the Far East.
The passion Charlton Heston displays in his role as General Gordon is classic Heston performance. And the great actor, Laurence Olivier, in the role of the Mahdi is another fine example of his versatility (he truly looked and played the part of a Muslim leader with no hint of his British ancestry). The battle scenes were large scale, but drowned out by the romantic atmosphere of spirit displayed by the characters, something that is difficult to find in movies today. KHARTOUM is a movie that will continue to be seen as one of the greatest films of all time.
David Lucero, author of THE SANDMAN
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