Khartoum
|
Our Price: $19.23 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Khartoum
Movie Review: Khartoum
Summary: 4 Stars
This film has probably one of the best scripts in years. Since heavy exposition is needed in the beginning, it is handled with witty and brilliant dialog, delivered with aplomb by an experienced British cast. Oliver's performance is somewhat over the top, but the best performance is given by Richard Johnson, as Charlton Heston's military aide. A good, old-fashioned spectacle, with a fine music score, rousing when it has to be and fully melodic when capturing the mystery of Egypt.Movie Review: Heston at his finest
Summary: 4 Stars
KHARTOUM is one of Charlton Heston's finer cinematic outings, and is well worth watching. Olivier's Mahdi is an added plus. Such films would be difficult to make in today's Politically correct climate. Nevertheless, the action, adventure, great camera work, and solid acting make this a must for action/historical epic fans....Movie Review: Classic
Summary: 4 Stars
It is a classic giving you an historical view of a English colonialisme in Sudan that we do not know not well. The story line is good. Charles Heston is as good as usual. I like it but I do not recommend it to everyone. It is rather for a connaiseur audience.Movie Review: Edge Of Your Seat
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this in the theater when it first came out. Had to have a copy because it is so gripping. Look at world events in the middle east today and you will appreciate this film even more.Movie Review: Epic Action Film From a Lost Age
Summary: 3 Stars
Khartoum is both an African city and the name for some colorful 1884 North African history: the rise of a Messiah-like figure named "Mahdi" among the Muslims of present-day Sudan, the return of a noble general, Charles "Chinese" Gordon, who vanquished slavery in the area, and a tragic fight between the Mahdi and the noble general. That being said, the film works somewhat well as an action vehicle, but most of the more colorful events from the actual history are glossed over or not well portrayed. I found Laurence Olivier's portrayal of the Mahdi to be very weak with every kind of Muslim stereotype presented as well as some real kitschy overacting. Laurence Olivier simply doesn't pass as a radical Muslim leader. Charlton Heston should never EVER try to do accents again! His British accent more than flopped; it plummeted. The majority of the film suffers from overacting or just plain poor acting. What may have been billed as an Oscar-nominated screenplay in 1966 wouldn't fly today in 2003.
The film's 134 minutes are not well arranged. The film suffers from numerous slow moments and the musical accompaniment is sleep inducing. Both my roommate and I snoozed while trying to watch this film. Some of the cinematography is breathtaking, but nowhere near the level of "Lawrence of Arabia." At any rate, even a little bit of good cinematography can't save this weak film.
I'm giving this film three stars because it does a mediocre but passable job of being an action film. "Zulu" would be a much better film if you would like to watch British soldiers face off against native hordes. Then again, Charlton Heston's wooden acting might make this a camp film classic such as Heston being struck by a spear and slowly falling off a wall was pure cheese. Who knows?
I don't recommend this film.
Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan