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Mongol
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 29 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by:
Sergei Bodrov
Arif Aliyev
Directed by: Sergei Bodrov
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 6, 2008
DVD: October 14, 2008
Running Time: 120 minutes, Color
Origin: Germany | Kazakhstan | Russia | Mongolia
Summary
RATING: R for sequences of bloody warfare
Starring Tadanobu Asano
Mongol illuminates the life and legend of Genghis Khan. Based on leading scholarly accounts and Mongol delves into the dramatic and harrowing early years of the ruler who was born as Temudgin in 1162. As it follows Temudgin from his perilous childhood to the battle that sealed his destiny, the film paints a multidimensional portrait of the future conqueror, revealing him not as the evil brute of hoary stereotype, but as an inspiring, fearless and visionary leader. Mongol shows us the making of an extraordinary man, and the foundation on which so much of his greatness rested: his relationship with his wife, Borte, his lifelong love and most trusted advisor. (Picturehouse)
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Nomad Running Free
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer
Mongol is a throwback to a more respectable tradition. The largeness of its scope arises naturally from the material, not the budget. The movie earns its stature.
Read Full Review >Variety Alissa Simon
This Central Asia-set historical epic from Russian helmer Sergei Bodrov ("Nomad") boasts breathtaking landscapes, dazzling cinematography, bloody battles and unique traditions.
Read Full Review >The New York Times A.O. Scott
Mongol -- or, as I prefer to think of it, "Genghis Khan: The Early Years" -- is a big, ponderous epic, its beautifully composed landscape shots punctuated by thundering hooves and bloody, slow-motion battle sequences.
Read Full Review >Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
I don't know the Mongolian word for panache, but Mongol's got plenty of it. The battle scenes are as notable for their clarity as their intensity; we can follow the strategies, get a sense of who's losing and who's winning. The physical production is sumptuous.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Stephen Hunter
In the end, we're about a third of the way through the great Khan's life; he hasn't even begun to take down the cities of Cathay or spread his seed. That suggests two sequels. I, for one, can't wait.
Read Full Review >USA Today Claudia Puig
Mongol is quality escapism: an exotic saga that compels, moves and envelops us with its grand and captivating story.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
As a visual spectacle, it is all but overwhelming, putting to shame some of the recent historical epics from Hollywood. If it has a flaw, and it does, it is expressed succinctly by the wife of its hero: "All Mongols do is kill and steal."
Read Full Review >Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman
Proves eye-opening in two ways: Sweeping, bloody battles will make your orbs pop, and you'll re-evaluate this supposedly “uncivilized” man who unified quarrelsome Central Asian tribes to create one of the largest empires in history.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold
The casting also works. As the Khan, Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano ("Zatoichi") is all effortless charisma, and Chinese actor Honglei Sun (as his best friend-turned-enemy) and Mongolian actress Khulan Chuluun (as his faithful wife, Borte) are just as effective.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Quite grand, quite exotic, David Lean-style epic.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
Full of stunning views of China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan and showing an unexpected side of Genghis Kahn, Mongol feels like an old-fashioned epic.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Jim Ridley
Last year's Academy Award nominee from Kazakhstan for Best Foreign Film, Mongol is purportedly the first in a multi-film saga on the wrath of Khan; as such, it's probably the last thing you'd expect--great fun.
Read Full Review >Empire Will Lawrence
With its breathtaking landscapes, bloody battles, bitter betrayals and an aching love story, Mongol is a sumptuously crafted epic.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego
In general the film is so impressive that we can't leave the theater without wanting more.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Wesley Morris
Even at the movie's most ridiculous (and Mongol is not without its ridiculous moments), this is a picture you laugh with more than laugh at.
Read Full Review >Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell
This is a violent, romantic, beautifully shot and performed film -- with brutal battle scenes and charisma-bomb performances by Asano as the future Khan and Honglei Sun as a rival chieftain and brother-in-arms.
Read Full Review >Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez
Oliver Stone tried encapsulating Alexander's life into one movie, only to discover the task was impossible. Bodrov knows better, using Mongol -- the first of an intended trilogy -- to center on Genghis Khan's formative years.
Read Full Review >Slate Dana Stevens
My only problem with Mongol is that--how often in life do you get to write this sentence?---Genghis Khan is a little too nice.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jason McBride
As an epic action movie, Mongol is satisfying enough. Think "Braveheart." Think "300." Just don't think too much.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
While rich in ethnographic detail, the film ultimately recalls nothing more than pulp fictions like Robert E. Howard’s "Conan the Barbarian," which validate their worship of ubermensch-ian brawn by way of sad tales of childhood victimization.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips
A grandly kitschy rendering of Genghis Khan's early years.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Joe Neumaier
Every performer is tough and charismatic, especially Honglei Sun, who, as Jamukha, gives so many neck-cracks, guttural howls and conspiratorial smiles he's like a Chinese Marlon Brando.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck
Sergei Bodrov's Mongol relates the story of Genghis Khan's early years in a plodding, uninspired fashion that doesn't bode well for the next two entries in a planned trilogy.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov
By the time the film's abrupt conclusion arrives, you realize you've been watching a love story and not, as some might hope, "The Lord of the Rings: The Asian Edition."
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jay H. gave it an8:
7.5/10. Magnificent production, the cinematography and art direction is amazing. Great acting and direction, believably told and very convincing. It does have some slow stretches and it is overlong, but well worth seeing.
Ernest S. gave it a10:
Amazing movie! completely entertaining and satisfyingly educational. After completing this film I was inspired to find out more information about genghis khan's empire and family. Everyone should see this, its just great.
Julian P. gave it a9:
It was excellent, who ever said that only alexander the great had feelings and cared for his family. It is always good to show the human side of tyrants.
Michael B. gave it a7:
It's sort of like Braveheart with Asian people instead of Scots, but with maybe a fifth of the action. I would definitely recommend it if you have an interest in history (especially in that of Khan himself), but if you're looking for a huge action flick, this just isn't it.
Ryan S. gave it a7:
Chad S. from the advance scout team must be a typical westerner who thinks Genghis Khan was just a mindless murderer, like another review said, his reputation is more positive in the east than in the west. Someone might as well make a movie that emphasizes all the bad and awful things George Bush has done.
Hemispheres gave it a7:
Genghis Khan's reputation is more positive in the East than it is here in the West, where his very name is synonymous with mindless, rampaging violence. This film is supposedly the first of a trilogy of the Khan's life and is relatively light on exposition and high on drama. It's fun and fairly mindless entertainment with charismatic performances, especially from Honglei Sun, whose glittering performance jumps from the screen. On a side note: In my opinion the following line from another review is really, really funny: "Perhaps Mel Gibson is the only filmmaker who would be willing to make an honest film about the Mongol leader."
Gus gave it a9:
Excellent historical epic with great use of visual imagery and symbolic metaphors. Solid storytelling and great, if not short, choreographed battle scenes.
