Review: Khartoum

Set in 1885, with the Sudan (populated not only by Sudanese, but Egyptians and Europeans) under attack from a Muslim fundamentalist who calls himself the Mahdi (Lord Laurence Olivier, with a clipped, quite believable accent). Prime Minister Gladstone (Sir Ralph Richardson), wanting to look concerned for his Egyptian allies, but not wanting to commit British forces to what will likely be yet another failure (the Mahdi has already embarrassed a British Colonel’s forces in the opening scenes), decides to send egocentric, bible-thumping, Idealistic General Charles ‘Chinese’ Gordon (Charlton Heston) and aide Richard Johnson, on a mission to try and convince the Mahdi not to attack Khartoum, in the Sudan. Gordon, who is credited with having ended slavery in the Sudan, and the hero of the opium wars (hence his nickname), has no intentions of evacuating Khartoum, instead he tries to force Britain’s hand by staying put in Khartoum. But with the Mahdi totally dedicated to wiping out his enemy, and no official military support forthcoming, how long can Gordon keep this up? Johnny Sekka plays Gordon’s Sudanese friend and servant, who is not a slave, but a free man who stays with Gordon out of devotion. Nigel Green is solid as a well-meaning, but powerless General used by the PM to convince Gordon that British forces are coming to help.

Two top stars do fine work in this interesting, still potent 1966 Basil Dearden (“Dead of Night”, “Victim”) epic, which might even play better today, in our complicated, post 9/11 world. Adopting a very slight English accent, Heston gives one of the finest performances of his career, playing one of his most interesting characters (He’s a long way from the gun-totin’ Conservative he would later become, playing an idealist, albeit a God-fearing one). Olivier, meanwhile, does the unthinkable, despite his hammy tendencies (he can often go too far with an accent, for instance, as in “The Boys From Brazil”) and blackface, he never once goes over-the-top and gives a genuinely convincing, enjoyable performance as a sort of Osama Bin Laden for the 19^th Century. In fact, the one flaw in this otherwise intelligent and fascinating film is that Olivier’s character just isn’t in it enough.

Terrific, scene-stealing performance by Richardson (whose character is entirely despicable, totally spineless), and a rock-solid one by Richard Johnson as well. Definitely underrated and deserving of rediscovery, but be warned, this is a more dialogue-oriented Historical epic. It’s certainly a must for Heston fans, as his performance is really tops. Robert Ardrey (the also underrated biopic “Song of Love” with Katharine Hepburn, Robert Walker, and Henry Daniell) was deservedly Oscar nominated for his screenplay.

Rating: B-