← Back to results
Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan
Монгол
2007 125 min Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Mongolia R 16+
★7.7
History, War, Action
Director: Sergei Bodrov
Trailers
Description
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan, a slave who went on to conquer half the world in the 11th century.
Budget:
$18M
US Gross:
$5.71M
Worldwide:
$26.53M
Starring
Tadanobu Asano
Actor
Amadu Mamadakov
Actor
Khulan Chuluun
Actor
Awards
Golden Eagle 2008
— Best Costume Design
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Costume Design
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Sound
Golden Eagle 2008
— Best Costume Design
Academy Awards 2008
— Best International Feature Film
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Costume Design
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Sound
Golden Eagle 2008
— Best Picture
Golden Eagle 2008
— Best Sound
Golden Eagle 2008
— Best Director
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Picture
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Director
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Cinematography
Nika Awards 2008
— Best Production Design
Asian Film Academy 2008
— Best Supporting Actor
European Film Awards 2008
— Audience Award – Best Film
Key opinion
Sergei Bodrov's 'Mongol' is widely regarded as a visually arresting and culturally authentic attempt to humanize the origins of Genghis Khan. While many viewers praise its aesthetic beauty, strong acting, and departure from hollow blockbuster tropes, critics remain divided over its fragmented narrative and focus on character-driven drama over large-scale battle spectacle.
| Cinematography | Cinematography and production design earn near-unanimous praise for their authentic use of natural landscapes and immersive period-accurate costumes. | |
| Acting | The performances from the multinational lead cast, particularly Asano's restrained Temujin and Sun's charismatic Jamukha, are highly effective in grounding the film's emotional stakes. | |
| Pacing | The film adopts a contemplative, character-focused pace that delights viewers seeking a biographical study but leaves those expecting a traditional, high-octane war epic feeling disappointed. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay's episodic structure and abrupt narrative transitions cause some viewers to perceive the plot as disjointed or lacking sufficient historical context. |