The film is based on historical accounts of Gordon’s defence of the Sudanese city of Khartoum from the forces of the Mahdist army, during the Siege of Khartoum. The British army were destroyed, so they decided to ask Gordon, a folk hero for help.

• Khartoum
• Basil Dearden
• Eliot Elisofon
• Charlton Heston
• Laurence Olivier
• Richard Johnson