Overview
A tale of courage and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- grand
- grave
- tragic
- classic cinema viewing
- historical film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the literate screenplay, intelligent performances, historical spectacle, and dramatic central confrontation, while some found the film overstuffed, historically inaccurate, or dull.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gladstone’s government weighs its commitment to Khartoum against reluctance to send British troops, while Gordon pursues a more forceful intervention.
The Sudanese desert, siege defenses, battles, and lavish production were designed for spectacular widescreen presentation.
Gordon and the Mahdi are positioned as ideological and personal counterparts whose confrontation drives the drama.
Gordon’s decision to defend Khartoum conflicts with British political calculations and the desire to avoid a foreign war.
Films like Khartoum, and why
Lawrence of Arabia
shared historical epic scale, desert warfare, imperial politics, and charismatic military protagonists
The Last Emperor
shared colonial conflict, moral ambiguity, widescreen spectacle, and tragic military drama
Zulu
shared nineteenth-century imperial warfare, siege tension, and lavish historical adventure
The Charge of the Light Brigade
shared large-scale historical warfare, political maneuvering, and tragic heroism
Movie Details
- Directors
- Basil Dearden, Eliot Elisofon
- Release Date
- 1966-06-09
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (132)
Cast
- Charlton Heston
- Laurence Olivier
- Richard Johnson
- Ralph Richardson
- Alexander Knox
- Johnny Sekka
- Michael Hordern
- Zia Mohyeddin
- Marne Maitland
- Nigel Green
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Khartoum about?
- A grand, tragic desert epic follows General Gordon as political hesitation and religious revolt converge on besieged Khartoum.
- What is Khartoum like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Khartoum as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Khartoum violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Khartoum as graphic.
- What did critics think of Khartoum?
- Critics broadly praised the literate screenplay, intelligent performances, historical spectacle, and dramatic central confrontation, while some found the film overstuffed, historically inaccurate, or dull.
- Which films are like Khartoum?
- Films with a similar feel include Lawrence of Arabia, The Last Emperor, Zulu, and The Charge of the Light Brigade.
- How long is Khartoum?
- Khartoum runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch Khartoum?
- In United States, Khartoum streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
