"Khartoum" has some things going for it: an intelligent screenplay that's more "Lawrence of Arabia" than typical Hollywood historical hokum; a for once restrained and actually kind of good performance from Charlton Heston; a terrific and magisterial score; some exciting battle sequences. But somehow the parts never add up to a satisfying whole, and I was left not caring that much how this historic episode (which I knew nothing about) turned out, and toward the end even slightly confused by what was happening.
Laurence Olivier appears in one of the most egregiously terrible brown face performances ever. I couldn't decide which was worse, his makeup or his acting. I think my favorite performance was probably Ralph Richardson's as a beleaguered and reluctant British military strategist.
"Khartoum" was nominated for Best Original Story and Screenplay at the 1966 Academy Awards, losing the award to the French film "A Man and a Woman."
Grade: B.
Laurence Olivier appears in one of the most egregiously terrible brown face performances ever. I couldn't decide which was worse, his makeup or his acting. I think my favorite performance was probably Ralph Richardson's as a beleaguered and reluctant British military strategist.
"Khartoum" was nominated for Best Original Story and Screenplay at the 1966 Academy Awards, losing the award to the French film "A Man and a Woman."
Grade: B.