Mongol (2007)

Genghis Khan's mythical early years are depicted in this sweeping Mongolian drama.

Young Temudjin sees his father poisoned and then his leadership rights violated by another of his tribe only to be exiled with his family. He survives one trial after another before uniting Mongol khans.

This epic film is meant to draw attention to Khan's almost supernatural anointing and gifting as a leader of the great Mongol empire (similar to Alexander the Great or Cleopatra's god complex). I think it achieves much of this by revealing how superstitious he may have been and the era in which he conquered. The issues of justice ring true as well.

I enjoyed the sweeping cinematography of the Kazakh, Chinese and Mongol landscapes and the revelation of a culture that identified so much with horses.

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