Watch Khartoum

Set in the 1880s, Khartoum is a historical epic that revolves around the Battle of Khartoum, an important event during the Mahdist War - a rebellion against British colonial rule in Sudan. The movie starring Charlton Heston as General Charles Gordon, Richard Johnson as Col. J.D.H. Stewart, and Laurence Olivier as the Mahdi, follows the story of Gordon, a British military hero, who is sent to evacuate the British citizens from Khartoum, then under siege by Sudanese rebels, led by the powerful leader - the Mahdi.

At the start of the movie, the Governor-General of Sudan instructs Gordon, a strong-willed and religious man, to head to Khartoum and help evacuate British citizens who potentially might come under attack by the rebellious Sudanese forces, who follow a religious leader called the Mahdi. At first, Gordon is hesitant to take up the task, sensitive to the immense danger that the people of Khartoum are facing. However, he decides to go ahead and accept the assignment, seeing it as his obligation to his country and to the people of Sudan.

Once in Khartoum, Gordon quickly realizes that the situation is far worse than he had anticipated. The Mahdist rebels have surrounded the city, cutting off all supply lines and ensuring that no help can get through. With only a small garrison of soldiers to defend the city against the Mahdi's army of 100,000 men, Gordon finds himself in a difficult position. He senses that the local Governor, who has retreated to Cairo, does not appreciate the seriousness of the situation and does not lend him any effective reinforcement troops. Moreover, His political and religious beliefs are challenged by the conflict which has risen between him and Col. Stewart, who is under his command.

Throughout the movie, the viewer is given an intimate view of both the conflict and the people involved. The desperation of the people of Khartoum is set against the ruthlessness of the Mahdi's men. The viewer witnesses the many internal conflicts within British military affairs, the resistance faced by Gordon's methods from those closest to him, and the effect that these conflicts had on Gordon himself.

The movie is characterized not only by the impressive performances of Heston and Olivier but also by the remarkable attention paid to the period detail of the setting, costume design and weapons. The spectacle of the battles is impressive too - both sides show excellent military strategy and the fights are choreographed realistically without relying too heavily on special effects.

While Khartoum remains a compelling story of colonialism, nationalism, and religious difference in its own right, it is perhaps Lawrence Olivier's portrayal of the Mahdi - a mystical, almost godlike figure - that proves most striking. Olivier gives one of his most remarkable performances, and succeeds in making the Mahdi not only a great leader, but a relatable and human character as well. He's an inspiration to his people, but also has moments of doubt, anger, and frustration - a testament to Olivier's formidable skill as an actor.

In conclusion, Khartoum is an ambitious, well-written, well-acted, and well-produced movie. The sheer scale of the battles and the rich detail of the settings and costumes make it a true epic, but it remains grounded by the powerful performances of the lead actors, particularly that of Olivier, whose charismatic and multifaceted performance lends an extra layer of complexity to this historical tale. The historical accuracy, great performances, and amazing cinematography make it an excellent movie for anyone interested in this period of history or in the spectacular scope of war movies generally.

Khartoum is a 1966 history movie with a runtime of 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.