MONGOL
Directed by Sergei Bodrov
Starring Tadanobu Asano, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun, and Ondyam Odsuren,
“Mongol” tells the story of the rise to power of Temudjin, better known to the rest of civilization as Genghis Khan. Whether Genghis Khan was a hero or a villain is widely debated today, but it cannot be debated that he was an incredibly powerful man, and on of the most important people in all history.
“Mongol” is the first film in what is to be a trilogy directed by Sergei Bodrov about the legend of Khan. After watching it, I cannot wait for the next two! “Mongol” is stunning in all aspects, and Bodrov is equally at home directing intimate love scenes and giant battles.
Young Temudjin (Ondyam Odsuren) is being taught by his father how to rule his tribe effectively. Years before, his father had stolen his bride from a neighboring tribe, and now, to make peace with them, is taking Temudjin to them to choose his bride. Along the way they stop for the night with a friendly tribe and Temudjin meets Borte, whom he chooses, much to his father's dismay. On the way back home his father is killed and a high-ranking member of his tribe claims leadership, vowing to kill Temudjin when he is an adult. For much of the movie, Temudjin is running away from people who mean to harm him. He learns great combat skills and develops fine leadership abilities. He also makes a good friend, Jamukah, who is going to be the leader of his tribe when he grows up.
We next see Temudjin as an adult (Tadanobu Asano), and though he is running most of his life, he never forgets his vow to return to Borte and marry her. When he finally gets back to her, she has remained faithful and grown into a beautiful woman (Khulan Chuluun).
The past proves to be a dangerous enemy, and the tribe that Temudjin was supposed to marry into learns that he has wed Borte, so they come and kidnap her. Temudjin enlists the help of Jamukah (Honglei Sun) and they rescue her, but a terrible accident causes Temudjin and Jamukah to become mortal enemies.
Stylistically, this film is very much like “The Lord Of the Rings” Trilogy. It is epic in scope and contains some of the greatest battle scenes in modern film making. It is also very reminiscent of older Hollywood epics like “The Ten Commandments”, “Spartacus”, and “Ben Hur”. Indeed, the friend that I saw this movie with thought it was a little too “Hollywood” for his tastes, but it never bothered me.
The only problem that I had with the film was that there were times where very important things were skipped over. Early in the film, Temudjin has escaped his captors, but is still trapped in the stocks. We see him at a shrine praying, then the camera pans away. When it comes back, he is free. I guess that we're supposed to believe that his god let him out, but it doesn't make much sense to me.
“Mongol” was nominated for Best Foreign Film. It was the first nomination for the country of Kazakhstan, however it lost to “The Counterfeiters” from Austria. Other nominated films were “Beaufort” from Israel, “Katyn” from Poland, and “12” from Russia.
This review was written on July 2, 2008.
Directed by Sergei Bodrov
Starring Tadanobu Asano, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun, and Ondyam Odsuren,
“Mongol” tells the story of the rise to power of Temudjin, better known to the rest of civilization as Genghis Khan. Whether Genghis Khan was a hero or a villain is widely debated today, but it cannot be debated that he was an incredibly powerful man, and on of the most important people in all history.
“Mongol” is the first film in what is to be a trilogy directed by Sergei Bodrov about the legend of Khan. After watching it, I cannot wait for the next two! “Mongol” is stunning in all aspects, and Bodrov is equally at home directing intimate love scenes and giant battles.
Young Temudjin (Ondyam Odsuren) is being taught by his father how to rule his tribe effectively. Years before, his father had stolen his bride from a neighboring tribe, and now, to make peace with them, is taking Temudjin to them to choose his bride. Along the way they stop for the night with a friendly tribe and Temudjin meets Borte, whom he chooses, much to his father's dismay. On the way back home his father is killed and a high-ranking member of his tribe claims leadership, vowing to kill Temudjin when he is an adult. For much of the movie, Temudjin is running away from people who mean to harm him. He learns great combat skills and develops fine leadership abilities. He also makes a good friend, Jamukah, who is going to be the leader of his tribe when he grows up.
We next see Temudjin as an adult (Tadanobu Asano), and though he is running most of his life, he never forgets his vow to return to Borte and marry her. When he finally gets back to her, she has remained faithful and grown into a beautiful woman (Khulan Chuluun).
The past proves to be a dangerous enemy, and the tribe that Temudjin was supposed to marry into learns that he has wed Borte, so they come and kidnap her. Temudjin enlists the help of Jamukah (Honglei Sun) and they rescue her, but a terrible accident causes Temudjin and Jamukah to become mortal enemies.
Stylistically, this film is very much like “The Lord Of the Rings” Trilogy. It is epic in scope and contains some of the greatest battle scenes in modern film making. It is also very reminiscent of older Hollywood epics like “The Ten Commandments”, “Spartacus”, and “Ben Hur”. Indeed, the friend that I saw this movie with thought it was a little too “Hollywood” for his tastes, but it never bothered me.
The only problem that I had with the film was that there were times where very important things were skipped over. Early in the film, Temudjin has escaped his captors, but is still trapped in the stocks. We see him at a shrine praying, then the camera pans away. When it comes back, he is free. I guess that we're supposed to believe that his god let him out, but it doesn't make much sense to me.
“Mongol” was nominated for Best Foreign Film. It was the first nomination for the country of Kazakhstan, however it lost to “The Counterfeiters” from Austria. Other nominated films were “Beaufort” from Israel, “Katyn” from Poland, and “12” from Russia.
This review was written on July 2, 2008.
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