Watch Clash of Empires - The Battle for Asia
- R
- 2011
- 1 hr 49 min
-
3.8 (1,157)
Clash of Empires - The Battle for Asia is a historical drama movie that takes us back to the 11th century, a time when Asia was under constant threat of invasion from various empires. The movie is set in the year 1205 when a conquering ruler from Mongolia, Genghis Khan (played by Tumulka) was expanding his empire into the territory of the Khwarazmian dynasty.
The protagonist of the movie is a prince named Kertanegara (played by Stephen Rahman Hughes) who is the last ruler of the Singhasari Kingdom in Java. He is sent to the Mongol Empire as an envoy in order to strike a peace deal between the two empires. His journey is fraught with dangers as he has to avoid bandits, cold weather, and minions of Genghis Khan's army. Along the way, he meets another envoy, Princess Lan-Fang (played by Jing Lusi) who is a spy for the Sung Dynasty of China.
As they both travel towards the Mongol Empire, they encounter various obstacles and challenges that test their endurance, courage, and loyalty. In the meantime, Genghis Khan's army has already invaded the city of Bukhara and is advancing towards the Khwarazmian capital, Samarkand.
The movie is not just about the historical events that took place during the 11th century, it also explores the cultural differences and similarities of the various empires. For instance, we see the rituals and customs of the Singhasari Kingdom in Java, such as the Keris dance which involves the use of a sharp, wavy blade called a Keris. We also see the machinations of the Chinese and Mongol spies as they try to outwit each other.
The movie has been well-directed by Yusry Abd Halim, who also produced and co-wrote the script. The cinematography, set design, and costume design are all excellent, and they create an immersive experience that transports the viewer to another time and place. The movie also has some notable action sequences, especially towards the climax when Kertanegara and Princess Lan-Fang face off against Genghis Khan's army.
The acting in the movie is commendable, especially Stephen Rahman Hughes who portrays the character of Kertanegara with aplomb. He brings a nuanced performance that showcases the inner turmoil of a prince who is torn between his duty to his kingdom and his personal desires. Jing Lusi is also impressive as Princess Lan-Fang, a character who is resourceful and cunning, and has her own agenda.
Overall, Clash of Empires - The Battle for Asia is an engaging movie that offers a glimpse into a fascinating period of history. The movie is a mixture of action, drama, and history, and it manages to strike a balance between these elements. The only downside is that the pacing of the movie can be slow at times, but this is a minor quibble. If you are a fan of historical movies, then Clash of Empires - The Battle for Asia is definitely worth a watch.