Genghis Khan (1965)

During the 13th century the shy Mongol boy Temujin becomes the fearless leader Genghis Khan who unites all Mongol tribes and conquers most of Asia, Europe and the Middle-East.

Director:

Henry Levin

Writers:

Clarke Reynolds (screenplay), Beverley Cross (screenplay)

Stars:

Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif, James Mason

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Boyd	...	Jamuga
Omar Sharif	...	Genghis Khan / Temujin-Genghis Khan
James Mason	...	Kam Ling
Eli Wallach	...	The Shah Of Khwarezm
Françoise Dorléac	...	Bortei (as Francoise Dorleac)
Telly Savalas	...	Shan
Robert Morley	...	The Emperor Of China
Michael Hordern	...	Geen
Yvonne Mitchell	...	Katke
Woody Strode	...	Sengal
Kenneth Cope	...	Subodai
Roger Croucher	...	Kassar
Don Borisenko	...	Jebai
Patrick Holt	...	Kuchluk
Susanne Hsiao	...	Chin Yu (as Suzanne Hsaio)

Storyline

Mostly fictionalized account of the life of Ghenghis Khan, the Mongol warlord whose 13th century armies conquered much of the known world. Named Temujin, he was taken prisoner by the rival warlord Jamuga and as punishment was forced to wear a large round wooden stock that severely restricted his movements. With the help of two supporters, the wise-man Geen and the strongman Sengal he manages to escape. He now begins his quest to unify all of the Mongol tribes. He faces great success but his old nemesis Jemuga keeps appearing at various times in his life leader to a final battle between the two.

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Plot Keywords:

pregnancy by rape | 13th century | bare chested male | hairy chest | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

Only once in the furied history of adventure and conquest...did one man rule so vast an empire!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK West Germany Yugoslavia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 June 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dzingis-Kan

Filming Locations:

Yugoslavia

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,332, 22 February 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,892, 22 February 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Irving Allen Productions, Central Cinema Company Film (CCC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Omar Sharif was furious that the $25,000 that Eli Wallach was earning per week was more than Sharif was being paid for the entire film. Wallach had only taken the role after a London play he was scheduled to appear in collapsed, and he was in urgent need of a quick payday.

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Goofs

Genghis Khan didn't start the war at Khwarezm (although he might have had intentions about it). The Shah killed the messengers of Genghis Khan who then started a bloodbath in revenge.

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Quotes

Temujin, later Genghis Khan: If we had not run but stopped and fought Jamuga, none of us would have to be here now. None of us!
Temujin, later Genghis Khan: [At Subotai] You have a strong right arm, Subotai, and I like to know it is at my side. But your mouth is young and needs training.
[He strikes Subotai across the jaw]
Temujin, later Genghis Khan: With enough training, my brother, you may yet become my strong right arm, for I have need of another!
[Offers his hand to help Subotai to his feet again]

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Alternate Versions

All UK releases are cut by 1 min 3 secs. The cinema version was cut for nudity and later video releases also included additional edits for horse-falls and to a rape scene.

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Connections

Referenced in Izuko e (1966)

User Reviews

Why Worry About Authenticity? Enjoy!

Historical accuracy is not very likely in an epic like this, but that's not the point, especially after so many years have passed since it was made. Considering 'Genghis Khan' now, it stands out as a dandy museum piece, not only in the 'they don't make 'em like this any more' category, but because it's such a full-blown try at making a splash in the epic film sweepstakes of the 1960s.

Yeah, it's a tinker-toy epic, but great fun, despite aiming at serious drama. Only 'Marco the Magnificent' outdoes it for 'Mutinational Production Prize' of its era.

Interestingly, it's a 'gap-filler' epic. That is, in the years when every ancient or legendary subject/culture seemed to be tackled by producers, hoping to strike 'Ben-Hur' gold, filmmakers shopped around history, looking for unique subjects to make an impression. Sooner or later the great Khan's number was going to come up. 'The Conqueror' with John Wayne seems more like a western (duh!), while 'Genghis' actually has a central Asian feel to it. Like its mate, 'The Long Ships', this is a Yugoslavian-filmed venture, a mini attempt to emulate Sam Bronston's epic production efforts over in Spain.

After Bronston's great empire unfortunately folded, other attempts to take up the epic gauntlet were made. This is one of the most sincere. A great cast, pretty respectable art direction, a sense of epic sweep, and a predictable but often witty script, they're all here. I'm sure the distinguished cast did it for the money, but at least they probably had a good time doing it. At its best it's a decent try at being epic. At its worst, it's a curiosity, but a pretty amusing one.

Highlights: - Dusan Radic's fantastic score. He achieves a Rosza-like standard, I think.

• Michael Hordern yelling 'TEMM-U-JEEN!!!' endlessly.

• Omar Sharif's yoke. Enthusiasts can see who wears his longer: Omar or John Wayne.

• James Mason's Mandarin parody. Politically correct it ain't.

• Bob Morley steals the show (as usual), as the effete emperor. The only character in cinema history who is killed just by WATCHING fireworks. Best line, as he hands a featherweight fan to a servant: 'Take it, it grows heavy'.

• Orson Welles WASN'T in this one, but should have been.

• Francoise Dorleac is of course very Euro, but not bad to look at.

• Any picture with Geoffrey Unsworth behind the camera is going to have some stuff going for it. Seeing it in full Panavision on the big screen would certainly give this picture more respectability.

I await its' much-deserved DVD appearance.