Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11011 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-11-11
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 101 minutes

Customer Reviews

Review of Omar Khayyam
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.

Looking for Yma Sumac?
Let's face it--most people (not all) want to see this, to see the beautiful and extraordinarily talented Yma Sumac. She is included in the cast credits (even touted) yet she is in it all of a few seconds. I agree with the other reviewer, she was featured no more than an any extra. And other than her, the movie isn't so interesting. What is somewhat ironic about this, is that Sumac's only other U.S. film, "Secret of the Incas" is not at all interesting except for her parts, as well! In truth, it was she, not Paramount, who decided she would do no more films.

It's a disappointment!
Normally, Hollywood makes a very poor use of talented actors/actresses who have especial gifts, like great singing voices, for example. This is the case of this movie, which presents or introduces an extraordinary talent like Yma Sumac, without giving her the opportunity to show properly the talents she is famous for. I saw the movie just because her name was in it. What a disappointment! She is treated in the movie like a native extra!