mongol (2007)
Email Article Website: mongolmovie.com
Director: Sergei Bodrov
Lead: Tadanobu Asano
Co-Star: Khulan Chuluun
Genre: Drama/History
Runtime: 120mins
Rating: MA
Stars: 5
It is kind of weird to watch such a beautiful film about such a horrible man. Genghis Khan was a ruthless tyrant who is credited with the massacre of millions of people (including women and children) - and here we meet him at the formative time of his life - which made him the person that he is today.
This film is made in admiration of the man. This is the first of a trilogy, directed by Sergei Bodrov, which aims to tell the story of his life. We are told that he was a great lover, a social reformer and a visionary leader who brought a legal code to his people.
This is a very beautiful film. Plenty of blood is sprayed in some amazing battle and cavalry scenes and Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano is bloody menacing in the role of Khan. Indeed even in the early scenes - as a nine-year-old he seems like a very menacing character.
The film begins in 1162 when Temudjin (Genghis' real name) was riding with his father Esugei to hold peace talks with the Merkits. Nine year old Temudjin is to choose a Merkit wife - who he will marry five years later. But before they reach the Merkit village young Temudjin meates beautiful and bold 10-year-old Borte.
But when Esugei reaches the Merket village he is poisoned and this sets Temudjin on the track to his role as leader of all the Mongols. He is firstly imprisoned by his own villagers but escapes before going to find his imprisoned bride and creating war. I gather that many of the scenarios told out in this film have been made slightly more daring than they actually were - but this makes for a good film.
The scenery and the weather make for the best part of the film. Downpours, icy winds, snowfalls, lightning. All good stuff. This is well worth seeing - just for the cinematography - even if you won't believe that Genghis did most of what he did out of love for a woman.
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