The Conqueror (1956)

Mongol chief Temujin battles against Tartar armies and for the love of the Tartar princess Bortai. Temujin becomes the emperor Genghis Khan.

Director:

Dick Powell

Writer:

Oscar Millard

Stars:

John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Pedro Armendáriz

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Wayne	...	Temujin - later Genghis Khan
Susan Hayward	...	Bortai
Pedro Armendáriz	...	Jamuga (as Pedro Armendariz)
Agnes Moorehead	...	Hunlun
Thomas Gomez	...	Wang Khan
John Hoyt	...	Shaman
William Conrad	...	Kasar
Ted de Corsia	...	Kumlek
Leslie Bradley	...	Targutai
Lee Van Cleef	...	Chepei
Peter Mamakos	...	Bogurchi
Leo Gordon	...	Tartar Captain
Richard Loo	...	Captain of Wang's Guard

Storyline

In ancient times, the Mongolian warlord Temujin must do battle against the rival tribe that killed his father. The battles pale in comparison with Temujin's home life, as he attempts to woo the heart of the red-haired Tartar prisoner Bortai whom he has captured in a raid. He must also deal with various intrigues within his palace. Eventually, Bortai falls to his manly charms, Temujin defeats his enemies within and without, and is crowned Genghis Khan.

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Plot Keywords:

based on real person | man | psychotronic film | tartar | battle | 

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Taglines:

Surpasses anything ever filmed before!

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conqueror of the Desert

Filming Locations:

Warner Canyon, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Wayne took his role very seriously, went on a crash diet, and took Dexedrine tablets four times a day.

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Goofs

In many of the "day for night" shots, the tents, animals and people all cast very strong shadows.

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Quotes

Kumlek: [to Temujin] Joint by joint from the toe and fingertip upward shall you be cut to pieces, and each carrion piece, hour by hour and day by day, shall be cast to the dogs before your very eyes until they too shall be plucked out as morsels for the vultures.

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Connections

Referenced in To Tell the Truth: Ashley Graham/Jenna Elfman/Donald Faison/Alex Trebek (2018)

User Reviews

Historical Significance

It's easy to slam the Duke miscasted as Chinghis Xaan in this film [He was reportedly embarrassed enough not to mention it often in his lifetime] However, the real significance is great numbers of the cast that died of cancer: Susan Hayward, the Duke, Pedro Armendariz, Dick Powell, Lee Van Cleef, De Corsia, Leo Gordon and others. The film was shot on a site where A bomb testing had been conducted and this fact was hushed up for several years. Yes, the film did not have "legs" and is dated. But, I remember seeing it as a young guy and loved it. Years later after completing a doctorate in anthropology, I still love it...bad as it is.