Rent Khartoum (1966)

Historical Epic. - Khartoum review by Steve

Expansive historical epic based on the Siege of Khartoum in 1885, with Charlton Heston as Charles Gordon almost singlehandedly resisting the army of a Sudanese warlord, played by Laurence Olivier. There will be differences of opinion on the politics. The film positions the Governor General as a hypocrite but the would-be Mahdi as a psychopath. So it expects us to take a side.

Heston is a natural for this kind of man of destiny, a Victorian adventurer with a mission. Those who are offended by traditional casting methods will be not appreciate Olivier as the Islamic warrior, but he certainly wins the charisma contest. Though he is in a support role, Charlie is the star. But even he orates in the shadow of the amazing, panoramic spectacle.

There is a huge cast of extras performing the sweeping battles across the ostentatious breadth of the Ultra-Panavision. Costumes, sets and locations (in Egypt) are all magnificent. And they are matched by Robert Ardley's Oscar nominated script which conveys historical depth and ideas without ever being pompous or long-winded.

It looks amazing. Basil Dearden normally made small progressive protest films, but is equal to a more epic scale. Perhaps surprisingly for a liberal director, Khartoum isn't critical of the Empire. Heston's General Gordon is nuanced, but ultimately a hero. In some ways it is dated, but certainly the vast scale of the action would never be recreated now, without CGI.