Khartoum Blu-ray Review

Eureka Entertainment's Region B-locked Blu-ray of "Khartoum" features a 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation in the original 2.76:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Shot on Ultra Panavision 70, the film's expansive, panoramic view showcases incredible depth and broad scope, fully utilizing the 70mm format's unique capabilities. The transfer delivers excellent detail, with Crisp visuals that encapsulate the breadth of scenes, from Charlton Heston's close-ups to distant background actions. However, a pervasive film grain might be noticeable, particularly in night sequences, suggesting possible day-for-night cinematography. Though some digital sharpening adds a slight ring to up-close characters, overall visuals remain compelling, justifying home viewing.

The Blu-ray is sourced from an older remaster also used by Twilight Time in a previous U.S. release, and while it offers strong clarity and pleasing focus in areas, it also reveals certain limitations typical of its age. Notably, the depth and delineation are not optimal, leading to background flatness and intermittent halo effects due to fluctuating color registration. Shadow definition is inconsistent, with nuanced details becoming difficult to discern. Image stability is solid, and while no large cuts or debris are present, small white flecks and dirt spots occasionally appear. The overall visuals suggest that a more thorough restoration would elevate the film to the visual standard it warrants.

This Blu-ray release captures "Khartoum's" grand vistas effectively despite its age-related constraints. It stands as a striking example of large-format filmmaking from the era but would benefit from a modern, extensive restoration similar to that of "Ben-Hur" to realize its full potential. Note the Region B restriction—ensure your player compatibility before purchase.

The audio presentation of the "Khartoum" Blu-ray release is intriguingly composed, as it derives from a 70mm source originally equipped with six channels of sound design. However, this UK Blu-ray release offers only a lossless Linear PCM 2.0 track. Despite this downgrade, the LPCM audio performs admirably by capturing the raw essence of the movie's epic tone. The desert clashes are delivered with exceptional clarity and power, characterized by booming cannon fire and dynamic explosions that resonate impressively for the era. Dialogue remains consistently clear, allowing the key cast performances to be distinctly heard over the rich, rousing score that underscores the film.

While the deviation from the original 6-channel audio might disappoint audiophiles searching for an encompassing sound experience, the meticulous effort in remastering has ensured that the LPCM 2.0 track is devoid of any detectable flaws. The absence of balance and dynamic issues attests to the successful elimination of inherited damage, making this track both clean and robust. Optional English SDH subtitles are available and thoughtfully positioned within the image frame for convenience. Ultimately, while purists might lament the lack of a more elaborate soundtrack present in certain theatrical projections, this LPCM 2.0 track stands strong, effectively supporting the visual grandeur and narrative depth of "Khartoum".

The Blu-ray release of "Khartoum" offers a well-curated selection of extras that provide both historical context and in-depth analysis of the film. The package excels with an engaging audio commentary featuring renowned film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman. Additionally, an insightful interview with critic Sheldon Hall delves into the film's origins, casting decisions, director Basil Dearden’s involvement, and the socio-political backdrop against which the film was created. The supplementary vintage trailer and a collector's booklet, which includes a new essay by Phil Hoad and rare archival imagery, further enrich this comprehensive set, making it a valuable addition for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman.
• Interview with Sheldon Hall: Critic Sheldon Hall discusses the film's origins and themes.
• Trailer: A vintage trailer for "Khartoum".
• Booklet: Features a new essay by Phil Hoad and rare archival imagery.

Basil Dearden's 1966 historical epic, Khartoum, showcases a clash of cultures and towering performances from Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier. Shot in Ultra Panavision 70mm, the film is visually spectacular, effectively capturing the grandeur of desert vistas with stunning panoramic shots. This technique had not seen use for half a century until Tarantino revived it for The Hateful Eight. However, the screenplay, while awarded an Academy Award, depends largely on the compelling tension between Heston's and Olivier's characters. Dearden's direction manages to scale the expansive narrative but often falters in integrating this grandeur with intimate storytelling.

In the modern viewing context, Khartoum faces scrutiny for its dated portrayal of complex cultural dynamics. Olivier's performance as Mahdi, involving blackface and a problematic accent, stands out as particularly offensive by today's standards, while Heston's role as the 'white savior' figure similarly feels antiquated. Aside from these outdated elements, the narrative lacks momentum with its painstakingly slow plotting and an overemphasis on hitting critical historical setpieces. Despite the abundant armed conflicts and politically charged machinations, many scenes come across as dry and are somewhat disconnected from contemporary sensibilities regarding character development and agency.

Despite these narrative and cultural drawbacks, Khartoum remains a cinematic marvel due to its exceptional cinematography. The Ultra Panavision 70mm technology delivers awe-inspiring imagery that can leave viewers breathless. The extensive use of extras and majestic nighttime desert scenes adds to its visual allure, making it clear why such wide-capture techniques are revered. This sumptuous visual experience, though not enough to classify Khartoum as a timeless classic, contributes significantly to its appeal and raises questions about the scant adoption of this format in subsequent decades.

Eureka Entertainment's Blu-ray release of "Khartoum" presents a visually captivating film that harkens back to the grandeur of large format cinema, evocative of classics like "Lawrence of Arabia." Despite its narrative flaws, the film's sweeping visuals and production scale are compelling reasons to revisit this historical epic. Sourced from an older remaster previously used by Twilight Time, the video quality is mostly decent, though it falls short of the potential demonstrated by more meticulously restored films such as "Ben-Hur."

The Blu-ray features excellent video fidelity, enhancing the rich, detailed landscapes and grandiose set pieces that define this cinematic experience. However, the audio presentation, strong as it is, lacks the immersive depth expected from a native 5.1 track—especially surprising given the inherent capabilities of the 70mm format. This shortfall slightly detracts from the overall aural experience but doesn't undermine the impact of the film's impressive soundtrack entirely.

Not enough to make this a classic, but enough to make you wonder why 70mm hasn't been used more over the past half-century. Eureka's release of "Khartoum" affords the visually stunning production largely excellent video and strong audio, along with a couple of decent new extra features. It's a great package for fans of epic features to lap up. While it may not reach the technical heights of more recent restorations, it's still a worthwhile addition to any collection of historical epics, especially when found at a discounted price.