In late 19th century, 10,000 Egyptian troops led by British general Hicks is massacred by the Madhi (Laurence Olivier) of Sudan who lured them into a desert ambush. London is unwilling to send British troops. They decide to send Chinese Gordon (Charlton Heston) who is reported to have won many victories leading the Chinese army over the Taiping rebels with nothing but a cane. Gordon meets the Madhi and discovers a religious zealot looking for a massacre in Khartoum as a launching point for his campaign to take over the Muslim world.
This is definitely a movie of its age. Although the Madhi is reminiscent of many modern religious extremists, the historical figure may not be as extreme. Olivier cannot escape the brown face complaint but that's the way of the day. At least, his classical training gives the character the needed power of personality. On the other hand, Heston is Heston and his righteousness is suffocating. His acting is so broad that it lacks the humanity to make the story compelling. This should be a battle of will between the two men but it is no more than a white savior movie. Colonialism is given a clean wash. Gordon is the man who is supposed to be beloved by the locals for destroying slavery in the region. All of the questionable history can be ignored for the era of the movie but it can't escape the lack of tension as the story is told in a flat unsophisticated way. The movie does not skim on manpower or locations. There is plenty of action but not the modern thrills. The finale is a bit anti-climatic. This has not aged well and it's not that good even without considering its historical issues.
This is definitely a movie of its age. Although the Madhi is reminiscent of many modern religious extremists, the historical figure may not be as extreme. Olivier cannot escape the brown face complaint but that's the way of the day. At least, his classical training gives the character the needed power of personality. On the other hand, Heston is Heston and his righteousness is suffocating. His acting is so broad that it lacks the humanity to make the story compelling. This should be a battle of will between the two men but it is no more than a white savior movie. Colonialism is given a clean wash. Gordon is the man who is supposed to be beloved by the locals for destroying slavery in the region. All of the questionable history can be ignored for the era of the movie but it can't escape the lack of tension as the story is told in a flat unsophisticated way. The movie does not skim on manpower or locations. There is plenty of action but not the modern thrills. The finale is a bit anti-climatic. This has not aged well and it's not that good even without considering its historical issues.