Mongol

[KLAXXON]

Director Sergei Bodrov's sweeping MONGOL focuses on battles physical and emotional as it follows the early ascent of the 'Great King' Genghis Khan in the 12th and 13th centuries. Born Temudgin to a kingly father, the film introduces the nine-year-old (Odnyam Odsuren) making his first fateful decision: going against his father's wishes and choosing the lesser-born Borte as his future wife. When his father is poisoned, Temudgin flees from his father's rivals. Temudgin is saved by a young prince, Jamukha, and the two become blood brothers. That bond of friendship is tested, though, when the grown Temudgin (Tadanobu Asano) wages war--against the Mongol code--to win back the captive Borte. As Temudgin asserts his own power, he must also face Jamukha in all-out battle if he is to secure the safety of his family and his own kingly destiny.








An epic account of the rise of Genghis Khan (Asano), charting his journey from his ninth birthday, in 1172 AD, through to 1206 AD, the moment he unites the Steppe tribes and embarks on his staggering journey of conquest.





Drawn from the one extant piece of original source material - The Secret History Of The Mongols, a curious blend of myth, legend and apparent fact - Sergei Bodrov’s Oscar-nominated Mongol is an impressive piece of epic filmmaking. The ancient manuscript, like many sagas, is somewhat repetitive, moving swiftly from a mythical ‘origin’ story into the early life of Genghis Khan (Tadanobu Asano) - or Temudzhin as he was originally known – which unfolds in a seemingly endless cycle of triumph and loss. Life on the ancient steppe was dominated by tribal warfare, as horsemen constantly battered one another in a bid to capture livestock, women, and good grazing for their herds.

For Bodrov, this presents a challenge. He conceived the film as the first part of a trilogy, and it extends no further than the moment when Temudzhin vanquishes Jamucha (Honglei Sun), his former blood brother, to position himself on the cusp of greatness. The director sifts through the multiple layers of betrayal and revenge that lead to that point, a sequence that could disintegrate into a bloody, martial monotony.

Thankfully, the Secret History contains an intriguing chapter in which a rival clan kidnaps Temudzhin’s intended spouse, Borte (Khulan Chuluun), and the director develops her role to the point where she plays a pivotal part in her husband’s political and spiritual evolution. Mongol offers a considered portrait of Genghis, with Borte’s presence adding depth to the warlord’s emotional makeup; if there is simplicity in his and his brethren’s actions, they are simple folk. Bodrov also benefits immeasurably from his leading man’s performance, with Japanese actor Asano Tadanobu bringing a confidence and quietude to the part, which in turn adds gravitas to his epic journey. Like many sagas, Mongol carries its principal player through a period of shadow, when he is imprisoned by the Tangut kingdom. He endures his privations with grace and dignity. When he emerges, freed by Borte’s cunning, his goes on to fulfil his destiny, his journey painted on a truly epic canvas. The cinematography, rendering the stark, unworldly beauty of the Central Asian Steppe, is astounding.



With its breathtaking landscapes, bloody battles, bitter betrayals and an aching love story, Mongol is a sumptuously crafted epic.





Aliya ...  Oelun
Tegen Ao ...  Charkhu
Tadanobu Asano ...  Temudjin
Ying Bai ...  Merchant with Golden Ring
Khulan Chuluun ...  Börte
Bao Di ...  Todoen
Bayertsetseg Erdenebat ...  Young Borte
Deng Ba Te Er ...  Daritai
You Er ...  Sorgan-Shira
Sai Xing Ga ...  Chiledu
Ba Yin Qi Qi Ge ...  Temulun
Ba De Rong Gui ...  Young Taichar
Sun Ben Hon ...  Monk
Zhang Jiong ...  Tangut Garrison Chief
Amadu Mamadakov ...  Targutai
Odnyam Odsuren ...  Young Temudjin
He Qi ...  Dai-Sechen
Li Jia Qi ...  Mungun
Bu Ren ...  Taichar
Su Ya La Su Rong ...  Girkhai
Ba Sen ...  Esugei
Honglei Sun ...  Jamukha
Ba Te ...  Khasar
Ba Ti ...  Dzhuchi
Ba Tu ...  Altan
Ji Ri Mu Tu ...  Boorchu
Tunga ...  Sochikhel
Amarbold Tuvshinbayar ...  Young Jamukha



IMDB



Download Torrent

[firingseeds]

Hi Klaxxon, Are the subs already in the movie- I can download the movie, press play, and watch?
Cheers,
Steve

[firingseeds]

Hi, Forgot, original english release- Mongolian voice, english subs?
Cheers

[firingseeds]

Um, movie review. Gave this movie a ten-plus. I saw it awhile ago now, and it still lingers quietly. The director gets top kudos for a brilliant job. Costuming, actors, scenery all top marks. What can I say- see the movie! It's as good as Once Were Warriors.