Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1654 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-09-29
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: PAL, Subtitled
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Synopsis
Director Sergei Bodrov's sweeping MONGOL focuses on battles physical and emotional as it follows the early ascent of the 'Great King' Genghis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries. Born Temudgin to a kingly father, the film introduces the nine-year-old (Odnyam Odsuren) making his first fateful decision: going against his father's wishes and choosing the lesser-born Borte as his future wife. When his father is poisoned, Temudgin flees from his father's rivals. Temudgin is saved by a young prince, Jamukha, and the two become blood brothers. That bond of friendship is tested, though, when the grown Temudgin (Tadanobu Asano) wages war--against the Mongol code--to win back the captive Borte. As Temudgin asserts his own power, he must also face Jamukha in all-out battle if he is to secure the safety of his family and his own kingly destiny. Gorgeously shot on location in Kazakhstan and Inner Mongolia, MONGOL represents the first in a proposed trilogy of films that will chronicle the full impact of Genghis Khan's reign. As ambitious in scope as its subject was in life, MONGOL--a 2008 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film--offers a unique look at the influence of love and loyalty to the life and times of one of history's most enigmatic rulers.

Customer Reviews

an astonishing and unusual epic ; wonderful visually
This is an extraordinary film - you won't see another quite like it. It tells of the childhood, young manhood and coming to power of Khan Termudgin - Genghis Khan. It has, I think been a labour of love for the director, Serge Bodrov, and he has done a remarkable job. I heard a talk about it on the radio, an academic claiming that Genghis had been seen only through the eyes of those whom he conquered, and that, though indeed a great general capable of wielding power decisively to the point of ruthlessness, he was in fact forward-looking and in some ways more merciful than others of his time (the 12th. Century). Whatever the truth of the matter, this film certainly makes a case for him. He is nine when it begins, choosing a bride to whom he remains faithful through every conceivable difficulty, watching the murder of his father, enduring the hatred of adult enemies, enormous physical discomfort and several unlucky quirks of fate. The whole thing is set in amazing landscapes, in Mongolia or North China I presume, and has a visual vastness and strangeness that is very compelling. So, too, is the eerie guttural throat music of the men, and the wonderful skin and fur costumes (especially the hats). It's a love story and works on that level. It also shows how a man like Termudgin could win great power against all the odds, and he is clearly a hero in this film.There are wolves, tremendous thunderstorms, wonderful horsemanship, an apocalyptic battle, terrifying Merkits (a rival tribe who wore skins over their faces to terrify their enemies), a breath-taking recreation of the border city in Tangut Province and, when needed, a cast of thousands (though in fact a surprising amount of the film is quite intimate). There are leaps in the narrative, but strangely that seems almost a benefit, mirroring the forward bounding of the old ballad style, where you are happy to take some things as read. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I think most people would.

Bring on part II
I'd been looking forward to this film for weeks - in fact it was the deciding factor for me to stay in New Zealand for the film festival - and I wasn't disappointed. The scenery was as stunning as expected - vast plains and simple nomadic settlements framed by dusky mountain ranges on the great steppes of Mongolia. In this first part of the planned trilogy I don't know whether Director Sergei Bodrov challenged the genre but he certainly made a good job of it.

We follow the early years of Ghengis Khan (then known less ostentatiously by his first name, Temujin) as he is relentlessly harried and floored by his fathers' enemies in the years following his murder by an ememy tribe. Too young to fight back but not old enough for his enemies to murder him and retain their honour. This first part takes us to the point where he has united the Mongol tribes under his leadership - showing his ruthlessness in battle but generosity and integrity in dealing with his people. He is portrayed as a man of inner strength and integrity - whether this accurately reflects the man is open to debate - leading by three simple rules: Always repay your debts, do not betray your Khan and never kill women or children.

The story has obviously been dramatised for film and although based on history the accuracy of events and characters are questionable. According to Wikipedia there is very little factual information about the early life of Temüjin and the few available sources are often conflicting - ripe ground for filmmaking I would suggest.

I felt there was a big unexplained leap from his escape from prison after being sold as a slave to his leading a vast army to take his place as leader of the Mongols. However the gaps in the narrative have left me inspired me to find out more about the great Khan, rather than annoyed at a hole in the plot. What more can you ask of a film than entertainment and inspiration?

Bodrov has successfully built a platform of sympathy and understanding for his young Gengis Khan, the intimate love story and tragic early events running through the film have made him a worthy hero. We are now ready to follow Gengis as he rampages across the globe, creating the largest Empire in the history of the world.

I reluctantly left the theatre feeling like I could take in parts two and three of this trilogy in one sitting. Bring on part II.

Near flawless film making
I just found this film a total breath of fresh air. Its obvious its made by someone who really loves and understands the subject matter, the western worlds perception of Genghis Khan has always been overly demonised, this film goes some way to address this. The cinematography is world class, you get transported to Mongolia and get a real sense of its great plains, the pacing is perfect and the dialog is beautiful.