Mongol: The Rise to Power of Genghis Khan [15]

Not the best piece of celluloid I've come across, I have to say. More accurate title would be "Portrait of a Kahn as a Young Man Helped by his Feisty Wife". The women and children way overdone. After seeing how his wife gets him out of a couple of scrapes, we then see him go off on his own to raise an army. How he does this is apparently not important enought to show us. Same with his hidden tactic to win a key battle. No, it's more important we realise how vital his wife is. Very PC I'm sure, but rather banal... I'm tempted to say don't waste your time...

Unclevodka (DI User), 13/07/08

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Awesome film. Has subtitles at bottom so dont sit behind a tall chap or someone with big hair. Epic scale and goes on a fair bit so bring a drink. Very different to other holywood-esque films which is quite refreshing. Good, down to earth old-school yarn of a legend.

flanman (Unverified), 07/07/08

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I hated this film. The acting was poor and the man was depicted poorly. It is not worth the time of day.

serouj (Unverified), 21/06/08

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I thought it was pretty mediocre. The scenary was great but the cinematography poor, the music appeared to be a cross between James Bond and a spaghetti western, the storyline inaccurate (Borte was his only queen but not his only partner) and it failed to give insight into the overall rise of the man and his values, in particular his loyalty to those who had been human to him was poorly played. A missed opportunity.

asia (Unverified), 15/06/08

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Stunning Mongolian Landscapes provide the backdrop for this wonderful, rich and vibrant revisionist look at Ghengis Khan's early life.

A superb cast retraces the story of Temudgin from childhood to his uniting of the Mongol Hordes.

A multi-dimensional portrait of a man who in his lifetime would conquer half of the know world "Mongol" is a superb historical epic, and a fascinating insight into Mongolian culture and mores.

Beautifully filmed, it adds many layers of complexity to a man history has relegated to the rank of an almost mythical reputation.

A very human portrayal of survival , and quietly intelligent film, it is a true cinematographic treat and I for one cannot wait for the second in the trilogy.

Another bonus is the scarcity of computer special effects which mean realism is not compromised for cheap thrills.
Hollywood should take heed. Epics can still be done without compromising on integrity of plot and storyline.

In Mongolian with english subtitles.

Do not miss. A tour de force.

Pamplemousse (Unverified), 14/06/08

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