Watch Genghis Khan
- Approved
- 1965
- 2 hr 7 min
-
5.8 (2,595)
Genghis Khan is an epic adventure film that was released in 1965. The movie stars Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif, and James Mason in leading roles. Directed by Henry Levin, the film tells the story of the legendary Mongol warrior and conqueror, Genghis Khan. The movie explores the life and times of this historical figure, from his humble beginnings as a slave to his rise as the ruler of the largest empire in history.
The film begins with a young Temujin (originally played by Franco Citti), who becomes a slave at a young age after his father is murdered by the tribe he was born into. Temujin is taken as a slave by another tribe, where he grows up to become a strong, fearless warrior. After escaping from his captors, Temujin retreats to the mountains, where he meets the beautiful Bortei (played by Sylva Koscina), whom he falls in love with.
The film follows Temujin's journey as he unites the various tribes of Mongolia under his banner. With the help of his faithful friend Jamuga (Omar Sharif) and his army of loyal warriors, Temujin becomes the leader of the Mongol Horde. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and enemies, including his own half-brother, Jamuga's brother, and the Chinese emperor Jin (James Mason), who seeks to destroy him.
One of the strengths of this film is its depiction of the time and place in which Genghis Khan lived. The film shows the beauty of the Mongolian landscapes, the harshness of the winters, and the nomadic way of life of the Mongol people. It also portrays the brutal nature of warfare during that time, with countless epic battles and graphic fight scenes.
Stephen Boyd does an excellent job in his portrayal of Genghis Khan, exuding both the charisma and ruthless nature that the historical figure was known for. Omar Sharif, as Jamuga, provides a great performance as well, playing a character that is both fiercely loyal to Genghis and jealous of his own position in the tribe. James Mason rounds out the trio of great performances, playing a Chinese emperor who is desperate to stop Genghis Khan from taking over his empire.
The film's screenplay was co-written by Clarke Reynolds and Beverley Cross, based on a story by Harold Lamb. The original score was composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, who also worked on classics such as High Noon and Rio Bravo. The movie was filmed in Yugoslavia and Italy, with some scenes shot on location in Mongolia.
Overall, Genghis Khan is a well-made historical epic that is definitely worth a watch. It captures the spirit of the time and place, as well as the ruthlessness and military genius of Genghis Khan, who remains one of the most intriguing figures in world history. It's a film that will appeal to fans of war epics and anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating historical figure.
Genghis Khan is a 1965 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.