Tagline: Greatness comes to those who take it.
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world including Russia in 1206.
Based on leading scholarly accounts and written by Bodrov and Arif Aliyev, “Mongol” delves into the dramatic and harrowing early years of the ruler who was born as Temudgin in 1162. As it follows Temudgin from his perilous childhood to the battle that sealed his destiny, the film paints a multidimensional portrait of the future conqueror, revealing him not as the evil brute of hoary stereotype, but as an inspiring, fearless and visionary leader. “Mongol” shows us the making of an extraordinary man, and the foundation on which so much of his greatness rested: his relationship with his wife, Borte, his lifelong love and most trusted advisor.
Filmed in the very lands that gave birth to Genghis Khan, “Mongol” transports us back to a distant and exotic period in world history; to a nomad’s landscape of endless space, climatic extremes and ever-present danger. In a performance of powerful stillness and subtlety, celebrated young Japanese actor Asano Tadanobu (Zatoichi, Last Life in the Universe) captures the inner fire that enabled a hunted boy to become a legendary conqueror.
Asano’s achievement is matched by those of his co-stars, including the radiant newcomer Khulan Chuluun as Temudgin’s courageous, spirited wife Borte, and the Chinese actor Honglei Sun (The Road Home) as the Mongol chieftain Jamukha, Temudgin’s dearest friend and deadliest enemy.
Masterfully blending action and emotion against some of the most arresting terrain on earth, Bodrov delivers an exciting and awe-inspiring tale of survival and triumph, and a love story for the ages.
Production notes provided by Picturehouse.
Mongol
Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Aliya, Tegen Ao, Tadanobu Asano, Ying Bai
Directed by: Sergei Bodrov
Screenplay by: Arif Aliyev, Sergei Bodrov
Release Date: June 6th, 2008
MPAA Rating: R for sequences of bloody warfare.
Studio: Picturehouse
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $5,705,761 (23.1%)
Foreign: $19,007,282 (76.9%)
Total: $24,713,043 (Worldwide)