Khartoum (1966)

VHS CASE/SIDE

LMPPA Certifcate Number: 21216

Length of film: 134 Minutes

Rated: Approved

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Director: Basil Dearden

Starring: Charlton Heston, Laurence Olivier, Richard Johnson, Ralph Richardson, Alexander Knox, Johny Sekka,

IMDB Rank: 6.8/10

Part 1 Time:  81 minutes

Part 2 Time:  53 minutes

Where does the first part end? William Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) and Col. J.D.H. Stewart (Richard Johnson) discuss the desperate situation in Khartoum.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Colonel Stewart inform your General Gordon that a British army will be sailing as quickly as possible for Cairo,” states William Gladstone. “Thank you Sir,” responds Col. J.D.H. Stewart as he leaves Gladstone’s office.

First line of dialogue on the second part: No dialogue- a British marching band plays outside of the railway station where the British army prepares to leave Britain towards Khartoum.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, the British government seems content in letting Khartoum be taken over by the Samaniyya. Gen. Charles George Gordon (Charlton Heston) stands firm that he will stay to defend Khartoum, regardless of warnings for him and his regiment to leave. Will General Gordon be able to successfully defend Khartoum?

Which part is better? Part one shows the situation in Khartoum escalating, with General Gordon playing both a defender and a diplomat by trying to reason with Muhammad Ahmed (Laurence Olivier) and keep Khartoum safe from invasion. Part two is better as we are able to see General Gordon’s tenacity to stand up for what he believes in by not leaving the people of Khartoum, even when given a chance to leave safely.

Academy Awards: Best Writing- Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Nominated).