Khartoum

Amazon.com essential video

Set in the expanse of the Sudan desert in the midst of holy war, Khartoum (1966) plays like an attempt to work the Lawrence of Arabia magic on the (mostly) true story of eccentric British general Charles "Chinese" Gordon in 1884 North Africa. The magnificent opening desert battle suggests David Lean's epic sweep, at least until the film settles into a more modest story of political games, military standoffs, and a battle of wits and wiles between two fierce leaders. Charlton Heston plays the wily Christian soldier as cocky, unconventional maverick, and Laurence Olivier (behind heavy make-up and a thick black beard) is almost as good as his cagey nemesis the Mahdi, the Islamic holy warrior on a mission of annihilation. More talk than spectacle, the film falls short of Lawrence but is nonetheless a compelling story of colonial politics, cynical maneuvering, and the unconventional heroics of another colorful British maverick abroad. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Academy AwardÂ(r) winners* Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier face off in this epic, stirring drama of two men and two empires. Filmed in glorious CineramaÂ(r), with stunning desertbattles staged by the creator of the Ben-Hur chariot race, Khartoum is a "magnificently staged action spectacle [with] outstanding portrayals" (Boxoffice) and breathtaking cinematography. In 1883, British Prime Minister Gladstone (Ralph Richardson) dispatches General Charles Gordon (Heston) to Khartoum, Sudan, where thousands of civilians are threatened by a Muslim fanatic, the Mahdi (Olivier), and his army of followers. Gordon gains the Mahdi's respect but can't prevent the Mahdi's men from laying siege to the city. Now, as history hangs in the balance, Gordon faces the fight of his life defending the ancient city of Khartoum. *Heston: Actor, Ben-Hur (1959). Olivier: Actor, Hamlet (1948); Lifetime Achievement (1978); Outstanding Achievement as Actor, Producer and Director on Henry V (1946)

Customer Reviews:

A forty-one-year-old epic that reflects both historical events and movie history.......2007-07-24

To appreciate some old movies, one must take in consideration the time in which they were made and the techniques/casting that was the norm. "Khartoum" has a Yank playing a Brit and a Brit playing an Arab. The film also sports some jaw-dropping fight scenes involving horses obviously tumbling as a result of the then-common use of a "trip wire."

Thankfully, we now live in an era wherein such aforementioned casting and animal abuse would be frowned upon and not tolerated.

That said, the film is one of those rousing adventure epics that tells that tale of an English officer (Heston) sent to quell an uprising by an Islamic demigod (Olivier). Both actors are good in their respective roles with Olivier having the edge in the execution of his "Arabic tongue" over Heston's try at "the King's English."

Even though Olivier wore heavy dark makeup and the traditional moustache and goatee, the filmmakers didn't do a good job of "masking" his European eyes.

But, the film was made in the "not-so-politically-correct" 60's.

The cinematography is breathtaking and composer Frank Cordell's music is truly dynamic.

When modern movies resort to the use of computer-generated battle scenes, it's refreshing to see real "actors" in well-choreographed combat.

However, as mentioned before, the horses flipping and careening down hillsides is a bit disconcerting, considering that some animals had to be sacrificed for the realistically staged fights.

And this release conveniently edited the original's horrific scene of the fate that befell Heston's character at the end, which made Olivier's final line rather mute.

As good as the book from Wilbur Smith?.......2007-07-04

Watched this monumental movie after having the read the book from Wilbur Smith, The Triumph of the Sum.
Although the main story remains of course the same the film does not provide the depth and different angles I was hoping for.
Most striking is that I cannot remember one woman playing even a less important role in this film.

Worth Seeing Again!.......2007-06-10

I viewed this movie when it made the theater tour. Since then, I learned more about the history of the British Empire in the period. Khartoum is well written, well acted and has no major technical or historical inaccuracies that I could detect. Khartoum is definitely worth watching more than once.

Khartoum .......2007-05-06

Charlton Heston plays the charmed, charismatic Gen. Charles Gordon and Sir Laurence Olivier is suitably menacing as the Mahdi in this thumping tale of the siege of Khartoum and the death of history's classiest fall guy. Great action sequences throughout: the assault on the city, the relief expedition, the attempt of the river steamers to run the Dervish gauntlet.

Excellent story; fine acting.......2007-04-10

The outstanding cast in this true story of China Gordon's demise in the Sudan at the hands of the presumed "Mahdi" in 1884, is only one of several factors that make this a great film. The story line is excellent, as it not only presents the desert conflict battle scenes extremely well, but it also visually describes the political and social intrigue involved in the British efforts to establish and maintain its colonial empire in that era. In a subtle and obviously unintentional manner, the film also presents some hints of contemporary conflicts and social issues. A truly fine film!

The Life of Emile Zola (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

"Truth is marching on and will not be stopped"
May be the first "accidental" death of a government gad fly?
Made me want to read his books.
Muni at his best in classic barnstorming period biopic
Zola's Public Confrontation - Inspiring Cinema...

The Life of Emile Zola (Special Edition)
Starring: Paul Muni , Gale Sondergaard , Joseph Schildkraut , Gloria Holden , and Donald Crisp
Director: William Dieterle
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0006HBV3W
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Amazon.com

Still as potently relevant today as it was in 1937, The Life of Emile Zola is a marvelously entertaining slab of Hollywood social issue-mongering. The life of the French writer is broadly sketched in the early going, but the film settles into its groove with the Dreyfus affair: the scandalous railroading of a military captain for treason, which shook France to its foundation in the 1890s. The elderly Zola's gradual involvement in the case, climaxing with his electrifying "J'accuse!" essay and subsequent trial for libel, is the heart and soul of the picture.

Warner Bros.' version of this story, directed by William Dieterle, carries over the passion (and hokum) of the previous year's Story of Louis Pasteur. It also retains that film's leading man, Paul Muni, who turns in an elaborately theatrical performance. The result was a box-office smash and three Oscars, for best picture, script, and supporting actor (Joseph Schildkraut, who plays Dreyfus). While the film occasionally creaks with Hollywood artifice, the clarion call of truth and outrage come through surprisingly strongly--indeed the film looks prescient as a warning about governments closing ranks to cover up mistakes. Mostly sidestepped is the anti-Semitic vitriol of the campaign against Dreyfus (his Jewishness is referenced only in a written report glimpsed for a moment). This is an old-fashioned barnburner that encourages the viewer to fan the flames. --Robert Horton

Description

The Life of Emile Zola episodically explores the career of the novelist who championed the cause of France's oppressed. Zola (Paul Muni) is a hugely successful French author who risks all his success and comfort to come to the defense of the unjustly jailed Capt. Dreyfus (Oscar winner Joseph Schildkraut). Winner of three Oscars overall-and of immense critical and popular success-this distinguished film is a must-see portrait of a life that's "a moment of the conscience of man." Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. Year: 1937 Director: William Dieterle, Irving Rapper Starring: Paul Muni, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Schildkraut, Gloria Holden, Donald Crisp, Erin O'Brien-Moore, Henry O'Neil, Morris Carnovsky, Louis Calhern.

Customer Reviews:

"Truth is marching on and will not be stopped".......2007-06-11

I was amazed at the power of this "old" movie. Made in 1937, in black and white, obviously, and acted in the over-the-top style that was in vogue in those days (pre-Actors Studio). Yet, dated though some of the aspects of the film are, the message is timeless and certainly is apt for this moment. I won't retell the story, as others here have done a good job and many readers will already know the events on which the film is based. It's certainly worth seeing and pondering how the message applies to today. Zola said, in the end, "Truth is marching on and will not be stopped." Let's all drink to that!

May be the first "accidental" death of a government gad fly?.......2007-02-28

What struck me was the closeness of the death of Emile Zola to
the release of Dreyfus. In more modern terms this fellow Zola reminds one of Upton Sinclair in America who was called a muck raker
and hated by many companies for his exposing horrible practices in the meat packing industry.
For showing the corrupt underbelly of French society Zola was loved by the poor and downtrodden and hated by an upper class of extreme wealth and influence.
The existence of a widening class structure in America would say that we need men like Zola to be appreciated as they were in 1937.

Made me want to read his books........2005-06-24

This is a superbly acted, fantastically written, and impressively staged production about an enormous humanitarian subject. Look far and wide and there are not many films that deal with justice and human callousness with quite as much conviction as this excellent film. Paul Muni, as usual, is spectacular. This, along with "I was a Fugitive from a Chain Gang", are MUST SEE films that will reinvigorate your faith in the validity of American cinema!

Muni at his best in classic barnstorming period biopic.......2005-04-06

'The Life of Emile Zola' is more about the Dreyfuss affair than the author's life - only 'Nana' is given more than a passing nod ('Germinal' gets 30 seconds of screentime while the rest of his novels are dismissed in a montage of covers) while his demise is signposted from the very first scene - and it does fall prey to the usual biopic problems ("Nana, pull up a chair next to Cezanne"), but it's such terrific entertainment, who cares? Muni is great value as Zola, much like the offscreen young Chaplin in the early scenes before becoming the great man of letters, where he walks the tightrope between over and underplaying, and he's given two great setpiece speeches - J'accuse and his address to the court - that are foolproof crowdpleasers that he handles with relish and aplomb. It's like one of Warners' crusading social issue pictures that just happens to have been set in the late 19th century and shot on an epic scale, and it has an immediacy and sense of moral outrage that is surprisingly powerful and deeply felt and even, ultimately, quite moving. Dated, yes, but undeniably impressive stuff despite Donald Crisp's very unfortunate haircut.

The DVD is a great package - a good transfer plus traler and radio adaptation and a couple of incongrous short films - that is well worth adding to any classic collection.

Zola's Public Confrontation - Inspiring Cinema..........2005-02-09

Freedom is often taken for granted in our technologically advancing society, as a political and social complacency seems to have been generated through an overwhelming level of obligation to professional careers and other domestic responsibilities. People are also literally crushed by an ever-growing media tsunami through cable TV, abundance of Internet news sites, and newspapers. In this depth of information the individual simply drowns, as vital information is often smudged with star-studded gossip in the non-stop news tickers. Mass information could therefore function as a form of misinformation when essential information tries to reach the light of public attention. Some of this information could be in regards to decisions politicians and other authority figures make, which could affect the rights of the people. Thus, it has become essential for people to learn how to filter information. However, in the days of Emile Zola information was usually from one, or a few sources, which often proclaimed that the information was the "truth", as it was seldom challenged, until Zola.

In the Life of Emile Zola the audience gets to experience a somewhat fictionalized story of Zola (Paul Muni). Emile Zola, a novelist and critic, frequently struggled to make a living before he wrote the successful novel Nana, which dealt with prostitution. Throughout his career he wrote several masterpieces such as Germinal and the Downfall. Each of Zola's literary contributions was heavily influenced by the social struggle of the French people, which was highly criticized by authorities. Some of his novels where even banned due to their controversial issues as they were released at the end of the 19th century. Nevertheless, Zola persevered and continued to write novels depicting the social and political truth of French society, which he loved and adored.

Throughout the years Zola gained weight and wealth, as he ironically became one of the people who he frequently described with contempt in his novels. This was the result of the acquired wealth, which gave Zola an opportunity to live a life of leisure and delight. In his blissfulness he forgot the world around him, as he drifted into a complacent mind frame. His old friend the painter Paul Cezanne (Vladimir Sokoloff) criticized his neglectful attitude towards the French society, as he promised not to write when has moved south. During this period when Zola was more occupied with finding a fresh lobster at the local market there was a legendary military trial in regards to an officer named Alfred Dreyfus (Joseph Schildkraut) who appeared to the society to have committed the shameful act of treason.

The truth was unknown to the world, as generals and other high-ranking officers had decided that Dreyfus was guilty due to his ethnicity. It was an anti-Semitic approach that led this innocent man into suffering years of imprisonment on the Devil's Island of the South American coast. Dreyfus' wife insisted on her husband's innocence, as she finally approached Zola for his help when she had documents proving Dreyfus' innocence. Initially Zola leaned on his complacency, but a quick reminder from a glimpse of his friend Cezanne led him to take on the French Army and the biased court system of France. Unfortunately, it lead Zola to escape imprisonment by traveling across the English Channel and make London his temporary home while continuing to write about the unjust French legal system and the French military's error.

William Dieterle directs a masterful story in Life of Emile Zola, which grabs the audience with an inspiring affect that stirs an internal motivation to help the fight against injustice in a cerebral and peaceful manner. In addition, the film has a strong historical perspective as the film was released a couple of years before World War II and during a period when several million Jews were persecuted in Nazi-Germany. Ultimately, Life of Emile Zola ended up winning three Oscars of its 10 nominations. Yet, the Oscars do not disclose the monumental value of the film, which offers a truly unique cinematic experience that the studio company Warner Brother's will have a hard time to match.

Average customer rating:

A thought-provoking and inspiring documentary about the making of a politically-savvy modern citizen
Splendid Documentary on American Sex Education (or Lack Thereof...)
Inspiring
Amazing!

The Education of Shelby Knox
Director: Rose Rosenblatt (III) , and Marion Lipschutz
Manufacturer: Docurama
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000GG4XYC
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Description

Shelby Knox--a wide-eyed, precocious activist--is the star of THE EDUCATION OF SHELBY KNOX, a riveting tale of one girl's mission to bring sex education to schools in her ultra-conservative hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Bursting with original characters, including an intolerant preacher crusading for abstinence, Shelby's skeptical but loving Republican parents, and Lubbock's tiny-but-vocal gay youth movement, the film richly captures an unusual coming of age story. In a town filled with religious fervor, sexual ferment, abstinence-only agitators and teenage pregnancy, Shelby struggles with her conflicting values and comes to terms with her own sexuality. In the process, she becomes an endearing and honest guide to the national moral morass. Unafraid to tackle pressing, complex questions, the film is supercharged with religion, politics, sex and the cultural warriors and ordinary people who battle over these hot-button issues. Skillfully crafted by award-winning directors Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt, THE EDUCATION OF SHELBY KNOX is "a pungent civics lesson on what can and cannot be accomplished by one plucky, idealistic girl." (The New York Times) DVD Features: Bonus Featurette; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews:

A thought-provoking and inspiring documentary about the making of a politically-savvy modern citizen.......2007-06-18

"Life in Lubbock, TX has taught me two things: one is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell, the other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on Earth and you should save it for someone you love." -- Attributed to Butch Hancock, The Flatlanders.

Shelby Knox made a purity pledge at age 16, just like any good Southern Baptist in Texas. Her fantasy boyfriend would be a fellow Broadways actor in Phantom of the Opera. She's never seen a condom or a penis (she guessed condoms might be black in color). She respects the pastor to whom she made her True Love Waits pledge, but she firmly believes that the church shouldn't be dictating the school's abstinence-only sex education platform.

The documentary is the story of Shelby's crusade to change sex education in her hometown of Lubbock, TX, which suffers astronomically high rates of teen pregnancy and STD transmission. Throughout the course of the movie, we watch Shelby mature from an outspoken and passionate high school sophomore to a confident, eloquent, convicted junior who is unafraid of even the most entrenched opponents. When a values coalition leader threatens to use his power to fire any city official who works with Shelby, and then tells Shelby not to undermine her own religious morality, she puts him in his place and firmly tells him not to question her personal relationship with God.

Shelby comes from a dedicated Republican father and compassionate Christian mother. Their order of priorities is God, Family, Country. Shelby does much soul searching during her campaign, talking with her pastor about her religion and its place in her school, as well as quizzing him on the church's stance on gays. By the end of the film, Shelby emerges as a fierce Democrat who has convinced her Republican parents of the importance of sex education but can't get them to budge on gay rights. This is as much the story of religion's hold on Lubbock as it is the making of a political activist. Shelby Knox reminds us all to act with passion about the issues close to our hearts.

Splendid Documentary on American Sex Education (or Lack Thereof...).......2007-04-06

Excellent film about a young girl from Lubbock, TX and her personal and political journey to adulthood as she comes to terms with her own Christian values about abstinence until marriage and her new revelations about the real world and the real people that are left out of that equation. Shelby takes on the issue of school based sex education in her heavily religious, ultra-conservative town fighting for actual "education" about sex and sexual issues as opposed to the strict abstinence-only policy in place in her school district that is clearly not effective in helping teens to delay sexual activity given their extremely high teen pregnancy and STD rates. I would have liked to see the film go into a little more detail about the issue of teens having sex because there's "nothing better to do." This issue is raised briefly during the opening credits and again during the closing credits, but is not really explored. The PBS documentary "The Lost Children of Rockdale County" explores this issue in greater depth. Overall, however, I thought the film did an excellent job of portraying Shelby's development as an individual and as an activist. It was also very heartwarming to see how her conservative Republican parents were so supportive of her passions, despite how they may have contrasted with their own personal values. I would wholeheartedly recommend this film to anyone interested in youth- and/or school-relevant issues.

Inspiring.......2006-11-14

'The Education of Shelby Knox' documents the political awakening of a Texan teenager over the course of three years. The young activist Shelby Knox is inspiring, in her courage to ask difficult questions and in her unflagging drive to make her town and school a better place. In the process of telling Shelby's story, the filmmakers reveal the difficulties of individuals trying to enact policy changes in the face of officially sanctioned intolerance and hypocrisy, and they show a local government afraid to come to grips with the realities of human sexuality. I believe this film's relevance goes far beyond Lubbock, Texas -- in essence, it is a look into the heart and soul of America. Every parent and every teen should see this film.

Amazing!.......2006-09-18

Shelby Knox is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She knows what is right, and she pushes for it. I had the chance of meeting her in person, and was not disappointed. She is in person as she is in the movie. The makers of this movie deserve all the praise they recieve, as this movie not only is about the education of a teenage, but also about the education of a country.

Shelby Knox is my hero!

Average customer rating:

Rather like Chain-Mail Pythons in Space
Oh dear! Where's the Dubbing?
Simply terrible.
Not the book, and its not Monty Python
Don't watch this unless someone will pay you (a lot)

The High Crusade
Starring: Werner Baum , Tahareh Becker , Patrick Brymer , Debbie Lee Carrington , and Ray Cokes
Director: Holger Neuhäuser
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Space Adventure | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Aliens | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6305150729
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Description

In a castle somewhere in England on the eve of the crusades, all good English knights are preparing to march on Jerusalem. Out of the heavens, an alien spaceship descends, an entry hatch opens, and a scouting party from another planet emerges, gathering information for a potential march on Earth. Unimpressed by the alien's high-tech weapons, the knights storm the spaceship. With arrogance (and dumb luck) on their side, they soon gain possession of the vessel and a hostage who can fly the thing! Of course, there is only one thing to do - fly it to the Holy Land and use it to put the fear of God into the heathens! But they are not destined to reach Jerusalem - as soon as he's back in his spaceship, their hostage switches the automatic pilot to return home. In two days, the bumbling, arrogant and ignorant crusaders will be at the mercy of an entire alien planet...heaven help the aliens! ohn Rhys-Davies, Rick Overton

Customer Reviews:

Rather like Chain-Mail Pythons in Space.......2005-11-20

I can see that the typical reviewer isn't impressed with the film... That's a pity. I suspect most of the reviewers are not British, and thus aren't "getting" the gist of the humour in the film.

Let me say first of all that OF COURSE this film is not high art. It's comedy - and very British at that. Sometimes it's plain silly, but very FUNNY plain silly.

I found the film amusing. There were many moments that had me laughting in that typically "Oh dear, I shouldn't be laughing" fashion that any Monty Python fan ends up perfecting. For example, the bit with the horse... the alien's arguments with the priest... the chastity belt... the wedding night... and the orgasmic finger.

If you can simply watch this film on its own merits, and if you enjoy Pythonesque humour, I can't see why you won't find the film providing you with plenty of laughter.

NOTE: I don't see any problem with the dubbing. The version I have is Zone 4, Australian, and of course we tend to get British rather than American versions here. Perhaps that makes a difference.

Oh dear! Where's the Dubbing?.......2004-05-01

I've got a dubbed version of this on video quite a few year when it was on T.V. which is absolutely excellent, I live in England and can't get The High Crusade on DVD over here. So I got the U.S. version, all I can say is it's terrible. In the british version, all the aliens were dubbed with hilarious English accents and didn't sound like dodgy Jawa's out of Star Wars.

All I've got to say is, watch the English dubbed version if you get the chance. It's a completely different movie...

Simply terrible........2003-07-15

My father bought this movie thinking it was a historical account of the crusades. Maybe he didn't read the back or see the spaceship flying across the cover. In any case, he cursed me for not notifing him of the film's contents. My father somehow managed to sit through this movie, then disowned it. I have tried several times to sit down and watch this movie to the end with no avail. It's not funny, or scary, nor does it accomplish anything I'm sure the director was trying to accomplish. A funny movie is "Rikki-Oh," "High Crusade" is definately not worth your time. Instead try poking small needles under your fingernails. This is a more gratifying experience than the "High Crusade." From a historical background, the "High Crusade" fails on several levels. First I don't think there was an alien invasion during the crusades. Second, well...I guess only the invation thing is wrong, but trust me it's wrong on so many different levels. The French guy is not funny either. He tries to get with the main character's wife and then I don't know what happens because I usually shut of my dvd player. I have passed along this movie to my friends and family with hilarious results. They watch the movie, the entire movie, hoping it has some redeeming value, but of course, it doesn't. Then they bring me back the DVD and curse me for wasting 90 minutes of their lives. Well, watch at your own risk, and mind your pints and quarts.

Not the book, and its not Monty Python.......2003-01-06

I was disappointed that this was not an adaption of the very funny Poul Anderson book. Other that a credit to him and the fact that the story involves knights and aliens, there is scant relationship between the book and the movie.

This movie is more akin to Benny Hill than Monty Python. Very low brow and broad.

That said, the movie was mildly amusing. Not worth buying unless you find it in a cut-out bin.

Don't watch this unless someone will pay you (a lot).......2002-10-05

I gave it a try because I loved the book and because one of the actors was in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. My gosh! What trash. Not funny. Terrible acting. Terrible screenplay. Obviously, a fair amount of energy was put into the sets, but the special effects were comparable to Plan 9. Don't do it. No matter how much you loved the book, I warn you, you will regret the experience.

Average customer rating:

Evil in Clear Creek
Starring: Jay Bernard , James Berry , Charles Black , Thomas Wilson Brown , and Gloria Carlin
Director: Karen Arthur
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000JMKJQE
Release Date: 2007-01-01

DVD:

DVD

DVD