Omar Khayyam (1957)

33% of users liked it
(9 ratings)

Frank Freeman Jr., son of the longtime head of Paramount Pictures, made his debut as producer with the opulent but empty Omar Khayyam. Cornel Wilde stars as the legendary Persian poet, here depicted as not only a philosopher but a scientist, politician and great lover. As the Persians gear up for… More Frank Freeman Jr., son of the longtime head of Paramount Pictures, made his debut as producer with the opulent but empty Omar Khayyam. Cornel Wilde stars as the legendary Persian poet, here depicted as not only a philosopher but a scientist, politician and great lover. As the Persians gear up for war against the Byzantines, Omar occupies his time by romancing Sharain (Debra Paget), the favorite wife of the Shah (Raymond Massey). He also does his best to foil a plan by Hasani (Michael Rennie), leader of the Cult of Assassins, to murder the royal family. While many of the characters and events are based on fact, it is difficult to believe the story or the dialogue for more than ten minutes at a stretch. Singer Yma Sumac, then famous for her four-and-a-half octave vocal range, is somehow woven into the proceedings. When Omar Khayyam laid an egg at the box-office, a Hollywood wit, taking into consideration the Southern heritage of Frank Freeman Jr., assessed the results as "A loaf of bread, a bottle of coke and you-all." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: William Dieterle
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

On DVD: Sep 9, 1992

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
What I liked about it, is that it stunk but its smell wasn't that bad.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Colorful but cardboard costumer.

Cast

            Cornel Wilde as Omar Khayyam

            Michael Rennie as Hasani

            Debra Paget as Sharain

            Raymond Massey as The Shah

            John Derek as Malik the Young Prince

            Yma Sumac as Karina

            Maggie Hayes as Zarada

            Joan Taylor as Yaffa

            Sebastian Cabot as Nizam

            Perry Lopez as Prince Ahmud

            Morris Ankrum as Imam Mowaffak

            Abraham Sofaer as Tutush

            Edward Platt as Jayhan

            James Griffith as Buzorg

            Peter Adams as Master Herald

            Henry Brandon as 1st Commander

            Kem Dibbs as Tutush Bodyguard

            Paul Picerni as Commander

            John Abbott as Yusuf

            Valerie Allen as Harem Wife

            Len Hendry as Courier

            Charles La Torre as Army Physician

            Joyce Meadows as Harem Girl

            Dale Van Sickel as Officer

            Margaret Hayes
            
See full cast