X
- 2008
- R
- Picturehouse
- 2 h 6 m
- 2008
- R
- Picturehouse
- 2 h 6 m
Summary 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 ...
Directed By: Sergei Bodrov
Written By: Arif Aliev, Sergei Bodrov
- 2008
- R
- Picturehouse
- 2 h 6 m
- 2008
- R
- Picturehouse
- 2 h 6 m
Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan
74
7.3
Where to Watch
Summary 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 ...
Directed By: Sergei Bodrov
Written By: Arif Aliev, Sergei Bodrov
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
74
81% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
74
81% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
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.
This Central Asia-set historical epic from Russian helmer Sergei Bodrov ("Nomad") boasts breathtaking landscapes, dazzling cinematography, bloody battles and unique traditions.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 39 User Ratings
7.3
79% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
15% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
5% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 39 User Ratings
7.3
79% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
15% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
5% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
This remarkable film addresses the birth, childhood and rise to power of Genghis Khan, one of the greatest conquerors of all time. Personally, I was very happy with it, as it proved to be very well done and, above all, it knew how to honor the historical truth and bring Khan to life without obliterating history or making up too much. I will not spend much time explaining the plot, accessible to anyone who knows the story of this personality (and anyone who has access to Wikipedia). Genghis Khan was the son of a tribal chief, but he had to flee after his father's early death, due to enemies who usurped political power. From then on, his trajectory until the unification of the Mongols was a troubled journey of many years, in which he was betrayed, imprisoned, threatened and even enslaved.
The film focuses a lot on these troubled times, and is very good at telling this story realistically, with a serious commitment to the truth of the facts and the story. Of course, there are flaws... for example, the horses used by the Mongols were of a lower equine breed, more used to traveling distances in the cold steppes. I believe, however, that it is very difficult today to find this type of horses in sufficient abundance for filming, so understandable practical compromises have been made.
The cast and the production are something worthy of a super-production, on a Hollywood scale, and it is noted that there was a lot of money involved. The actors are oriental and are very good at their work. I don't know any of them, I confess, but I would like to see them work again. I enjoyed hearing them speak in their languages, not in the ubiquitous English. Everything tastes so authentic in this film that it is impossible not to like it.
Technically, it is a grandiose film, with a very elegant, sharp cinematography, with excellent colors and very well framed, which takes the best advantage of the magnificent landscapes of the region, from the steppes to the desert. The sets and the costumes are apparently as faithful to the historical portrait and time as possible. The film also has excellent scenes of struggle and epic battles, which not only allow us to perceive the bellicose and violent character of those tribes but also give movement and action to the film. The good use of visual and sound effects, and an effective and discreet soundtrack add a touch of class to the final product.
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Genghis Khan is one of the most interesting historical figures in history and also polarising. He started in poverty and was a slave before becoming the legendary ruler. He killed more people than anyone before but also delivered an era of peace and prosperity historians call “Pax Mongolia”. He ended slavery and the endless cycle of conflict between the clans while also taking care that no widow or orphan is left in poverty. The movie tells the story from Genghis Khan (aka Temüjin back then) from his childhood to the end of the struggles with his blood brother and biggest rival Jamukha in flashbacks. I read that it was planned as trilogy so this is just the first part. Sadly it flopped at the box office so this will never be continued. Like I said his life is remarkable and could not be better invented by Hollywood even back then when they knew how to make compelling movies. As a warning: I could not tell how historical accurate it is. However it is entertaining and enjoyable. We got a really talented cast of actors that fully deliver their roles. This extents to the team behind the screen as the movie is excellent. I see no missteps here. Overall this is one of the good movies that far too less people watched to get a sequel. I give a 9/10 and recommendation. Bonus knowledge: The YouTube channel “Extra Credits” made a nice series about Genghis Khans life I would recommend. They tell history with humour and great details.
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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.
With its breathtaking landscapes, bloody battles, bitter betrayals and an aching love story, Mongol is a sumptuously crafted epic.
In general the film is so impressive that we can't leave the theater without wanting more.
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.
Inert, inept epic.
Overall it is an impressive historical story of the early life of Genghis Khan. The acting and cinematography is well done. It has some slower moments but the story as a whole makes up for it.
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Mongol is quite a good film, but does feel a bit incomplete, largely because the rest of the planned trilogy has yet to come to fruition. As a stand alone film, it is technically brilliant and wonderfully acted. However, I did feel as though the direction could have been a bit more inspired. As is, Mongol was glacially slow at times and was a little too eager to have CGI blood effects. That being said, of course, Sergei Bodrov's direction of the battle sequences was fantastic, but the film really does a great job painting a picture of who Genghis Khan was before he became Khan. If something deserved to see its trilogy come to fruition, it is most certainly this film as it would honestly help bolster this one up a bit if it was able to be analyzed as merely one piece of a series. However, as of right now, Mongol is still a really good film that was a bit too slow, but brilliant characterization and acting really elevate this one to a different level.
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thought it was going to be all about the conquests and wars of Genghis Khan; about how he build his empire. Wrooong. It was solely about uninteresting events of his life that MAY have led him to become a great leader. You'll learn nothing about Genghis Khan that you really want to know about, for sure. AWFUL MOVIE!! not at all historically correct... RIP! This movies makes a false impression about Genghis Khan!
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I find this movie to be an utter piece of trash . It was not entertaining , neither educational , concerning the history of Genghis Khan , it was a chaotic mixture of scenes , most of which do not make any logical sense , I mean seriously , you just cut the best part of it where he becomes khan for what ? Some random scenes of ... worshiping wolves and walking in the steppes , I mean half the movie is someone walking ... really ... really ? .... Oh and the fighting scenes could have been ALOT better . I'm even more dissapointed because of the hype around this ... well , "average" would be too much to say about it , but this .... Uhhh ...
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Nika Awards
• 7 Wins & 7 Nominations
Golden Eagle Awards, Russia
• 3 Wins & 6 Nominations
