This great and hokey adventure of all the ages is set in 1220 when the Genghis Khan armies invading Persia and leading to the gorgeous city of Samarkand in Central Asia. In Samarkand rules a beautiful princess called Shalimar, Anne Blyth. Just as the town is threatened by the cruel hordes of Genghis Khan there shows up a two-fisted knight from the East. Then the stubborn princess join forces a brave Crusader, David Farrar, and his underlings : Richard Egan, among others, against the Genghis Kan's son : Henry Brandon and other Tartars tribes led Tugluk : Howard Petrie.
It is a passable, fast moving and ordinary adventure movie that has not historical perspective and bears little relation to the authentic historic facts. Anne Blyth gives an acceptable acting as the lovely princess along with David Farrar as the valiant Crusader Sir Guy who wants to put up a rough battle against Tartars to impede Samarkan encroachment . Support cast is pretty good such as Richard Egan in a secondary role previous his successful appearance as a big star, Henry Brandon as Genghis's son, George Mcready as the cunning, treacherous Raven the Shaman, the wonderful Peggie Castle who died early, Howard Petrie as the leafer of the Kalmucos , Poodles as a Friar , Gregg Barton , George J Lewis, and Marvin Miller as Genghis Kahn, the greatest conqueror of all times.
It contains a rousing and thrilling musical score by Hans J. Salter, Universal's regular. It packs a colorful and brilliant cinematography in Technicolor by Russell Metty, filmed on location in California deserts. This is a typical spectacle financed by Universal International Pictures in its usual style, being well produced by Howard Christie and Robert Arthur. The motion picture was professional though uneven shot by George Sherman. He was a prolific and skill craftsman with a long career. At his starts he worked as a director assistant for Warner Brothers. He went on directing low budget 3 Musketeers series for Republic Pictures . He made all kinds of genres as Noir and thrillers : Jonny Dark, Target unknown , Westerns : Chief Crazy Horse, Comanche, Treasure of Pancho Villa, Dawn at Socorro, War arrow, Relentless, Calamity Jane, Cyclone Kid , Renegades, Daniel Boone TV series and his greatest hits as Big Jack and Comancheros with John Wayne. He also made some adventure movies such as The Son of Robin Hood, Against two flags, The veils of Bagdag and this The Golden Horde. He even made some films in Spain as Joaquin Murrieta, Buscame esa chica, and La nueva Cenicienta with Robert Conrad and Marisol . Rating 5.5/10. Passable, acceptable but mediocre.
