'Mongol' Review

Tadanobu Asano, right, as Genghis Khan during family time in Mongol.  Watch the trailer:   http://mongolmovie.com/

Mongol was one of the best historical/action epics I've seen in a long time.  Unfortunately these types of big budgeted films are rarely made in America so we have to thank the foreign producers of this international work for doing it right.  The details and photography were eye-popping and the cast of unknowns fit their roles like hands in cozy, weathered gloves. The battle scenes were bloody but that's to be expected in this primative time. Nothing seemed out of place here except for the rock music washing over the closing credits. The rest of the score matched the story and I'll be buying the CD.

Genghis Khan is a revered figure in Asia and the director made sure he was treated fairly as not to anger his descendents.  He could be brutal but loving and forgiving at times.  And how he suffered so stoically during captivity, patiently waiting his time to plot his freedom until the right moment to escape. Mongol reminded me of earlier Russian historical epics, Sergei Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky and Ivan The Terrible Part 1. The shooting was done under difficult conditions in remote locations and how it all came together is a triumph for director Sergei Bodrov. Two Sergeis, a coincidence? There's two more parts of this award-winning and successful film planned so I'll be anxiously waiting. Making the first part was a tasking labor of love for Bodrov as documented here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/la-ca-mongol1-2008jun01,0,7322942.story

Here's another article about the making of Mongol and other film versions: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article3979333.ece