8/10
Classic adaptation with overwhelming battles and impressive scenarios
19 June 2006
In 1885 the rebellious army of cruel Dervishes enslaved and killed many thousands of defenceless natives in Sudan . Then laid siege to Kartooum , the scanty garrison's heroic commanded General Gordon appealed for help from England , but no help reached him . The film deals about Harry Faversham (John Clemens), a British officer young man . He resigns from military army and being rejected , he is branded as a coward , receiving four feathers as symbols of cowardice by his engaged fiancée (Jane Duprez) and his three comrades friends . Determined to save his honour , he heads towards Suakin on the red sea (Sudan) . His purports are the helping his friends from uprising ¨Madih¨ who had defeated to General Gordon (deeds narrated in ¨Karthoun¨ by Basil Dearden with Charlton Heston and Laurence Olivier) . He's determined to prove his courage and retrieve the lost honors . Meanwhile , the Kitchener army heads for Ondurman to fight against the Dervishes and Fuzzy Whuzzi rebels .

This is the best version of A.E.W Mason novel and contains a plethora of adventures , heroism, a love story and breathtaking battles. John Clemens as brave hero is memorable and Jane Duprez as gorgeous heroine is charming . Ralph Richardson as the blind comrade is awesome . Touch of humor is supplied by C. Aubrey Smith as the resourceful veteran military . Special mention to cinematography in a colorful and glimmer Technicolor at charge of George Perinal . Spectacular musical score by the classic musician Miklos Rozsa . The film has been magnificently realized by Korda brothers , Zoltan (direction) , production design (Vincent) and production (Alexander Korda). Other versions of Mason novel are ¨Storm over the sand¨ (1955) by Terence Young with Laurence Harvey, Anthony Steel and Mary Ure ; 1977 Television remake with Beau Bridges , Robert Powell and Jane Seymour and last adaptation (2000) by S. Kapoor with Heath Ledger , Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson . The motion picture will appeal to adventure genre fans and classic cinema enthusiasts .
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