Genghis Khan (1998)

About 850 years ago a man was born to change history in a way like nobody else before or after him. He was the most successful and feared commander of all times, he created to biggest ... See full summary »

Directors:

Mailisi, Saifu

Writer:

Ping Ran (screenplay)

Stars:

Liya Ai, Tumen, Basen

12 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Liya Ai	...	Heelun - Temujin's Mother
Tumen	...	Temujin
Basen	...	Talihutai
Bayaertu	...	Tesugai - Temujin's Father
Asiru	...	Boerte
Qienaritu	...	Zhamuho
Sechenbilig	...	Chiliedu
Chaganchaolu	...	Yingshou
Weijing Wu	...	Menglike
Wangqige	...	Tesiqin
Nabuqi	...	Servant
Eerdemutu	...	Beiligutai - Temujin's Brother
Deng Ba Te Er	...	Hasaer - Temujin's Brother (as Eerdengbateer)
Hude	...	Young Temujin
Muqier	...	Young Boerte

Storyline

About 850 years ago a man was born to change history in a way like nobody else before or after him. He was the most successful and feared commander of all times, he created to biggest empire on a single landmass and covered the know world with war. Genghis Khan - A name that spread fear and terror. Genghis Khan, ruthless leader of the Mongols and sovereign over the vastest empire ever ruled by a single man, was both god and devil - not just in the Middle Ages, but for centuries to come.

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Plot Keywords:

battle | tatar | steppes | mongolia | honor | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin Mongolian

Release Date:

1998 (China)

Also Known As:

Czyngis-chan

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Represented Mainland China in the Best Foreign Language Film race at the 1999 Academy Awards. The film competed alongside 43 other films but did not receive an Oscar nomination.

User Reviews

Great production values, lavish epic

I bet Mongolia produces hundreds of really cool movies every year, but everybody thinks "Mongolia? That's all sheep isn't it? Can't be any good", and ignores them completely. That is, until they make a movie about their most famous export, Mr Genghis Khan. Everybody's heard or Genghis Khan, after all, and his barbarian hordes, and a biopic actually made in Mongolia ought to have that extra bit of authenticity. Therefore, the world sits up with sleepy eyes and takes note.

The reason I think Mongolia must make a lot of movies that the rest of the world ignores is because Genghis Khan is the first Mongolian movie I've even heard of, and it's really good. And people don't usually make really good movies without some practise, so I assume it's not the makers' first attempt.

The movie is a 'costume epic', of the 'hundreds of riders on horseback killing each other a lot' subgenre. One of my favourite genre/subgenres, in which I know I am not alone. It tells the story of Genghis's life from his birth (around 1167 apparently) to his uniting of the Mongol tribes (around 1206). It shows Genghis to be much more than a bloodthirsty barbarian, as he is often viewed in the West... in fact, his strong love for his mother was apparently his most famous personality trait. As a child, his family is forced into exile after his father - leader of the tribe - is betrayed and killed by a rival. Somehow, they survive on the plains, and when he reaches adulthood he returns to claim his throne (or his tassled spear, in fact, since thrones aren't generally popular with nomadic tribes). From there, he leads his people into battle again, becoming an increasingly more powerful and renowned military leader as he grows and learns.

The plot has a slightly dry "historical timeline" kind of feel to it, but the situations (and hence the movie at large) are made more engaging by some great performances. Genghis both young and old is a rounded character, flawed but honorable and likeable, and his loyal wife is quite adorable... but his mother steals the show. Strong, passionate, independant, etc. The kind of mother to raise empire-builders for sure. There's quite a lot of other characters involved in Genghis's story, but the movie focuses on the small core cast to ensure we don't become too bewildered. The historical feel is well conveyed by the movie's production - costumes, makeup and all the various props and sets all feel very authentic. The cinematography is excellent throughout, creating stunning images of the mountains and plains of Mongolia... especially during the battle scenes, where hundreds of riders on horseback charge around waving swords and spears and kicking up dust everywhere. Very impressive, though MUSA has since raised the standard for such scenes significantly of course. The scenes in GENGHIS KHAN are not as good as those in MUSA, unquestionably, but they aren't too shabby when compared with other competition such as ASOKA and SURIYOTHAI.

I must make mention of the movie's soundtrack, too - a really great score, beautifully composed and orchestrated, very epic and emotive. It's reminiscent in places of the CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON soundtrack.

My conclusion is a strong recommendation for the movie, especially if you have enjoyed MUSA, ASOKA, SURIYOTHAI etc. The Hong Kong DVD is not too great unfortunately, but is at least widescreen (very) and subtitled (badly). It would be nice to see a US studio pick it up, remaster it and release it theatrically and on DVD - except it probably wouldn't be the same after they'd had Zhang Ziyi re-dub Genghis' narration in English, and re-edited the battle scenes with Kevin Costner teaching Genghis military strategy...