Omar Khayyam (1957)
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14% want to see it
(7 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
- Directed By
- William Dieterle
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
Critic Reviews
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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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Cast
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Cornel Wilde
as Omar Khayyam
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Michael Rennie
as Hasani
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Debra Paget
as Sharain
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Raymond Massey
as The Shah
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John Derek
as Malik the Young Prince
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Yma Sumac
as Karina
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Maggie Hayes
as Zarada
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Joan Taylor
as Yaffa
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Sebastian Cabot
as Nizam
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Perry Lopez
as Prince Ahmud
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Morris Ankrum
as Imam Mowaffak
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Abraham Sofaer
as Tutush
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Edward Platt
as Jayhan
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James Griffith
as Buzorg
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Peter Adams
as Master Herald
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Henry Brandon
as 1st Commander
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Kem Dibbs
as Tutush Bodyguard
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Paul Picerni
as Commander
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John Abbott
as Yusuf
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Valerie Allen
as Harem Wife
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Len Hendry
as Courier
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Charles La Torre
as Army Physician
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Joyce Meadows
as Harem Girl
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Dale Van Sickel
as Officer
- Margaret Hayes
