Title: Khartoum
Release Date: 1966
Director: Basil Dearden
Film writers: Robert Ardrey and Julian Blaustein
Principal Actors: Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Richard Johnson, Ralph Richardson
Plot Summary:"Khartoum" is a 1966 British legendary war movie that narrates the 1883 siege of Khartoum, Sudan. It informs the story of British General Charles Gordon (Charlton Heston) and his attempts to deal with the nationalist self-proclaimed Mahdi (Laurence Olivier) during the Mahdist War.
The film opens in the Sudanese desert, where a grand call to jihad erupts among followers of the self-proclaimed Mahdi. From here, the plot crosses back to England, where the Prime Minister (Ralph Richardson) and his cabinet choose to dispatch the controversial General Gordon to Khartoum to leave Egyptian forces. Although Gordon's initial objective is evacuation, he ends up being dedicated to the reason for protecting the Sudanese city from the wrath of the Mahdi.
Character Analysis:Charlton Heston as General Gordon is the moral force of Khartoum. Despite being aware of his minimal opportunity of success, he stands high against the Mahdi, with the hope of conserving thousands of lives and keeping British honour. By contrast, Laurence Olivier's Mahdi is equally strong-willed, charismatic, and genuinely believes in his divine mission, though his techniques are brutal.
Movie Aesthetics and Highlights:One of the highlights of Khartoum is the flamboyant and impressive fight scenes, from the siege of Khartoum to the final fight between the Egyptian forces and the Madhists. The expansive desert landscapes increase the magnitude of the dispute. Besides the visuals, the film is noteworthy for its musical arrangement, composed by Frank Cordell, which emphasizes the dramatic aspects of the plot.
The drama intensifies as the siege continues, with Gordon holding the city versus the overwhelming odds. The movie doesn't avoid providing the trappings of imperialism, the clash of cultures, and the unavoidable tension resulting from the meeting of east and west, represented by the characters of Gordon and the Mahdi.
Climax and Denouement:In the climax, Gordon makes the last stand as enemy forces infiltrate Khartoum. Despite the loss, he is depicted as a Christ-like figure who chose to pass away than abandon his mission. The film ends with a voice-over narration that informs the audience of the after-effects of the Battle of Khartoum and the British retribution that followed, claiming triumph years later, thus developing a British-Sudanese leader as the hero of the Khartoum story.
Important Reception and Legacy:"Khartoum" is often revered for its representation of brave last stands and the elaborate and multi-dimensional representation of controversial historic figures. It is valued for its deft instructions, its compelling movie script, and the towering performances of Heston and Olivier. The film stands as a timeless, making use of standard Hollywood epic-like story to represent complex historical occasions through the prism of heroism, conflict, and sacrifice.
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