Hollywood's "Omar Khayyam"

Interesting clip of a lost 1957 movie

Scene shows Omar Khayyam at Alamut with Hassan Sabbah and the Hashashin (Assassins). Clip info says this movie was never shown in Iran, because the word "Shah" was used in it.



Info on YouTube:

This is a scene from "Omar Khayyam," the movie Hollywood has made in 1957 about one of the greatest characters of Persian history. It is a fairy tale loosely based on Khayyam's life and time. Although it is a very positive portrait of Khayyam, Persia, and "The Shah," it is very ironic that this movie was never shown in Iran because of "the Shah" and will never be shown in Iran because of "the Mullahs."

By today's standards, it is not a great movie and somehow it sounds and looks very "cheesy." However, one critic has seen it as a wonderful and interesting movie mainly because he sees 9/11 in it. Here it is:

By: Wade R. Goria "Historian" (Brooklyn, NY USA)

This is a wonderful film and it came as a most pleasant surprise. Omar Khayyam provides us with a splendid cinematic introduction to Persia's greatest poet. Khayyam was a compassionate and noble figure whose extraordinary literary talent and all-encompassing intellect displayed no natural boundary. Important aspects of Khayyam's fascinating personality are admirably portrayed by Cornell Wilde. The casting of the movie was exceptional and we are treated to fine supporting performances by distinguished actors such as as Michael Rennie and Sebastian Cabot among others.

I was particularly impressed by extent to which this movie explored key historical issues surrounding the life and times of Khayyam. We learn about the Byzantine Roman Empire's war with Persia involving an alliance composed of Bulgars, Greeks, Franks and Lombards. We also confront a number of other historical and scientific issues in this film that are portrayed with an interesting admixture of detail and insight that seems to be unusual for such Hollywood productions. Omar Khayyam additionally provides us with a fascinating glimpse of the Assasins of Syria, believed by some to represent one of the world's first terrorist organization. As an advisor to the Persian Shah, Khayyam's effort to root the Assassins out of their extrodinary mountain fortress in northern Syria bears a striking resemblance to events taking place in Afganistan in the wake of September 11th.

There is indeed an eerie parallel between the Persian Assassins, as depicted in this film, and the American and Northern Alliance-led effort now being waged to blast Osama Bin Laden and his al Qaeda units from out of the caves of Tora Bora. Omar Khayyam has a most satisfying ending. After seeing it, the viewer should be encouraged to read Fitzgerald's splendid translation of the Rubaiyat. By all means see Omar Khayyam - the film's artistry, poignancy and depth will not elude the sensitive viewer.

23-Dec-2008
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Omar Khayam movie

by Azam (not verified) on

I bought this movie in 1991 in San Francisco and enjoyed watching it. It is cheesy because the actress is far from what a Persian girl really looks like, Jon Drake as Hassan Saba is more believable.

What I do not like is that this movie portrays the Saba's followers as bunch of duped up robots who are at his mercy.

In reality, Hassan Saba (whom I practically worship sine I was a child ) was a true Persian patriot who wanted to rid Iran of foreign influence and his social, education and military programs in comparison to today's were truly genius. He provided his followers with schools, land, and jobs as well as military training. He wanted Persia to be restored to its past glory and by the way "Hashashin" was translated by the stupid French as "assassins". It actually means "herbalist" because they were really good with herbal medicine and their bulk of revenue came from selling herbs and agriculture.

Everyone must read "Khodavande Alamoot" which is now sold in Iran (I bought some just this pat year and gave as gifts).

The movie is entertaining at best and who cares what was shown during the crown cannibal time and what was not. His sorry ass should have taken some lessons from Hassan Saba and instead of his wife kissing western artists' behinds, could have paid more attention to what was going on at home.

May a thousand dogs in hell piss on him (your shah) every day.

Azam Nemati


Darius Kadivar

FYI/More about the film (which was Never censored ... ) ;0)

by Darius Kadivar on

The film was never censored in Iran during the Shah's time. I remember seeing it in Shiraz in Cinema Aryana in the mid 70's. 

In anycase I Hope you enjoy this old article I wrote about the movie back in 2003 for the Iranian:

Khayyam and Popcorn by Darius KADIVAR

Also Note that the movie exists only on VHS tapes on amazon.com it would deserve a new digital release. Hope they think of it.

Great Movie too. Also note that Micheal Rennie ( whom I used to confuse with Charlton Heston when I was a kid ) who plays Hassan Sabbah is best known for his portrayal  of "Klaatu" an Extra Terrestrial in the classic Sci Fi movie by Robert Wise : The Day the Earth Stood Still shot 6 years earlier in 1951 ( also if it matters to you before the 1953 Coup):

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfpSXI8_UpY

The film was subject to a remake recently with Keenu Reeves

 


Jahanshah Javid

Yes Shoosh!

by Jahanshah Javid on

"Nothing is sacred."

I thought I heard something familiar when I watched it :o)


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iranian.com is featured in the clip as well !

by Anonymouser (not verified) on

listen carefully to the words at 1:21 :)

shoosh


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Tarane nat rubai

by Iran parast (not verified) on

and nat to forget terrorism starts with mohammad rasoleh allah nat assassin that cams way after the arab islamic terrorism had took Iran over.