Mongol (2008) - Review by Samuel Taylor

Christina Han
Nov 26, 2020
2 min read

Stars

- Tadanobu Asano – Temujin

- Honglei Sun – Jamukha

- KhulanChuluun – Borte

- Aliya – Oelun

- BaasanjavMijid – Esugei

The film Mongol: Rise of Genghis Khan, released in 2007 as an interesting R-rated film which chronicles the life of Temujin, from his humble beginnings to his eventual domination of the entirety of the Mongol people. Throughout the film, the main focus of drama and conflict is seen between Temujin and his blood brother, Jamuqa. Many trials and tribulations await Temujin and his family before his eventual triumph. While many of the main plot points of the film are in fact correct, there are a multitude of historical inaccuracies which detract from the authenticity of the film. These inaccuracies vary from the major, like the number of times that Temujin is captured in his life (really? Three times?), to minor, such as the portrayal of some of the tribes on the steppe (those raider masks. I cringed). However, I believe that Sergei managed to capture the spirit of the real story of Temujin beautifully, of a man reaching greatness despite many obstacles placed in his path.

The director Sergei Brodrov, who is Russian, wanted to portray Genghis Khan as something other than as a monster, to defy the traditional portrayal of the Mongol leader (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLhAcnV6d_E). To attempt to add to the authenticity of the experience, the movie was filmed in Mongolia. The film was positively received, and nominated for an Oscar, with 15 other awards and 11 other nominations, including 3 Golden Eagles awards in Russia, 2008 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416044/). It was reviewed positively across the board, with sites like Rotten Tomatoes giving it 76% (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mongol).