Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ian Somerhalder | ... | Marco Polo | |
BD Wong | ... | Pedro | |
Desiree Siahaan | ... | Temulun / Kensai | |
Brian Dennehy | ... | Kublai Khan | |
![]() |
Kay Tong Lim | ... | Lord Chenchu |
![]() |
Christian Lee | ... | Cogatai |
Luo Yan | ... | Chabi | |
Michael Man-Kin Chow | ... | Chi (as Michael Chow) | |
![]() |
Mark Jax | ... | Niccolo Polo |
Alan Shearman | ... | Maffeo Polo | |
![]() |
Michael O'Hagan | ... | Old Marco Polo |
![]() |
Ramin Razaghi Sefati | ... | Persian Physician (as Rumin Razagh) |
Jiaolong Sun | ... | Chonggu (as Sun Jiao Long) | |
![]() |
Zi Ge Fang | ... | Achmath (as Fang Ge) |
Rodger Bumpass | ... | Rustigielo |
Assigned to accompany two priests on a mission to convert the court of Kublai Khan to Christianity, Marco Polo is abandoned in the mountains when the priests, doubting the very existence of China, turn back. Polo eventually pushes bravely forth alone toward the fabled country where he is accepted as an envoy into Khan's court. Marooned on the far side of the world, Polo, accompanied by his servant, Pedro, advances as a Mongol grandee for twenty extraordinary years. What he eventually brings back with him to the West is a chronicle that changed history forever. Written by Hallmark Channel
What hope is there when even the films buyer/screener doesn't know the plot as the Plot Summary indicates - "Marco Polo is abandoned in the mountains when the priests, doubting the very existence of China, turn back. Polo eventually pushes bravely forth alone toward the fabled count - Written by Hallmark Channel". It seems they didn't even bother to watch the first 10-15 minutes to know that his father and uncle still accompanied him after the two priests (possibly the worst actors in the whole show) turned back.
Like others I agree the script, acting and casting was pretty atrocious for the European and 'name stars' and were mismatched to the possibly great movie that could have been if the production locations and costuming were better matched. I thought the era of trying to pass off Europeans (Dennehy) as Orientals had ceased and it was obvious the Asian actors were far better than the so called stars. At least back in the 50's and 60's all the actors and extras looked fake when playing foreigners of a different race. It is even more glaring when they are used alongside far better actors of genuine racial type.
However it did improve a lot after the first 30 minutes which had nearly made me switch it off.