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Mongol—writer/director Sergei Bodrov’s epic historical drama about the infamous Genghis Khan—was submitted by Kazakhstan for consideration (and, eventually, nomination) for this year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The film’s director is Russian, its stars are Japanese and Chinese, and the dialogue is in Mongolian (but don’t worry—there are English subtitles). I can only imagine how confusing (and nerve-wracking) the whole filmmaking process must have been—but all that confusion certainly paid off.
Mongol tells the story of a young boy named Temudjin (played by Odnyam Odsuren as a boy and by Tadanobu Asano as an adult), the son of his village’s leader—or Khan. When he was just nine years old, Temudjin witnessed his father’s death—and he then returned home to watch his father’s enemies steal his family’s possessions and take control of their village.
Spared because of his age, Temudjin begins his life of exile. And though he’s still young, he’s determined to become the great Khan that his father always wanted him to be.
But Mongol is more than just a story about an infamous warrior’s rise to power. It’s also a story about friendship. As a child, Temudjin is rescued from his enemies by the future Khan of a nearby village—and it begins a lifelong friendship that eventually turns to rivalry.
It’s also a moving love story. Just before his father’s death, Temudjin chose his future bride. But while his years of exile, imprisonment, and battles keep them apart, their love continues to bring them back together—no matter what obstacles they face.
Most of all, it’s a fascinating character study. Mongol definitely shows a different side of Genghis Khan—far from the ruthless, bloodthirsty barbarian you’ve seen before. Here, he’s a weak and fearful child who faces all kinds of hardships to grow into a thoughtful and just leader—as well as a great warrior. And though you might not always agree with the choices he makes, you might just find that you respect him.
Because there are so many different things going on in the story, though, the film feels a bit choppy at first—as all of those different aspects are introduced in short scenes, quickly cutting from one to the next with little warning. But once everything is in place, Mongol is a powerful—and breathtaking—film that’s punctuated with remarkable epic battle scenes. Though they’re violent and blood-drenched, they’re artistically done. And they’re significantly more awe-inspiring than anything that Hollywood action movies like 300 and 10,000 B.C. had to offer—CGI monsters and all.
While it does have its uneven moments, Mongol is a stunning film that feels much like an Eastern Braveheart. It tells a gripping and powerfully dramatic story about a fascinating character. It’s filled with thrilling battle scenes. And the cinematography is simply stunning.
Whether you’re an epic adventure junkie or a fan of films with depth and drama, this multi-national masterpiece is a must-see.
