Khartoum (1966)

While leading an Egyptian army against the force of the Mahdi in Sudan, British soldier Colonel William Hicks was killed.  The English newspapers reported this as a British defeat, though only a handful of the officers were actually British.  Something must be done.  Prime Minister William Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) elects to send General Charles "Chinese" Gordon (Charlton Heston) to evacuate Khartoum before it should be sacked by the Mahdi's forces.  Gordon is renowned for leading a Chinese army during the Tai-Ping Rebellion and for ending the slave trade in Khartoum.  He is also known to be a loose cannon who doesn't follow orders.  Colonel Stewart (Richard Johnson) is provided as second in command for Gordon and also a spy for Gladstone.  No sooner has Gordon arrived in Sudan than he confronts the Mahdi (Laurence Olivier) to determine what drives the man.  The Mahdi views himself as a figure of religious prophecy, the "Expected One" who will unite Islam.  Gordon, who is himself a religious man, sees that there can be no reasoning with the Mahdi.  Somehow, Gordon must convince Gladstone to send an army to relieve Khartoum before the Mahdi slaughters everyone.  Can he lure a British Army to rescue him and thereby rescue Khartoum?  He sets out to see.

Heston is good as Gordon.  His accent doesn't seem out of place, which is strange as he is the lone American in the film.  Heston exudes charisma and command.  When he and the Mahdi talk, it is Heston who steals the scene rather than the legendary Olivier.  By contrast, Laurence Olivier is weird as the Mahdi.  His blackface is off-putting.  Yes, this was a common thing at the time, but it has not aged well.  Ralph Richardson is terrific.  His Gladstone is a politician, able to connive to his benefit, but also frequently exasperated when plans go awry.  Of course, Richardson is always a joy, whatever role he happens to play.  Nigel Green appears as General Wolsley, an old friend of Gordon's and the man sent to rescue him.  Sadly, there isn't a lot for Green to do in the role.

The movie is an epic.  It has the opening overture, an intermission, and an end score.  Stylistically, this movie fits with movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago.  This isn't mere popcorn fun, this is grandiose filmmaking.  Recommended.