Customer Reviews

Genghis Khan [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll confess up front--I loved this movie! I thought it would be just another Hollywood botch-up of history--and it did take some liberties--but as an adventure and costume epic, it certainly delivered. Omar Sharif and Stephen Boyd seemd to be having a grand time playing their larger-than-life characters; James Mason and Robert Morley were unconvincing as Chinese, but turned in their usual fine performances. The late Francoise Dorleac, sister of Catherine Denueve, is touching and believable as Genghis Khan's beautiful and intelligent wife. This one deserves to be brought back. Don't expect the level of "Lawrence of Arabia" or "Gandhi" but as an adventure movie, it's colorful and lots of fun.

This movie is an epic in the true sense of the word, about a man from humble beginings who unites a nation through shear willpower. The cast led by Omar Sharif is excellent (watch in particular Telly Savalas). From Mongolia to China through the Persian empire, the movie also serves as a lesson in history, love, family ties and justice. In the movie, Omar Shariff begins what many feel is his destiny which is the unification of the Mongol tribes so that they are no longer petty in the eyes of their neighbors who think of them as just savages. The costume designs are unequaled (Chinese & Persian), and the war scenes are brilliant. A date movie for both people.

This film, made in 1965, is a colorful epic starring Omar Sharif as the powerful ruler. This film begins when the main character is just a young man, and tells about his rise to power, and also his pursuit of the love of his life. It is a powerful movie, with an excellent score. Hard to find video, but well worth it!

This movie has the hallmarks of a Hollywood epic, but as far as history goes, everything goes down the toilet. The bulk of the movie, unfortunately, focuses on some imaginary rivalry between Temujin (Genghis Khan) and some guy named Jamuga. I did some research and found no mention of any rival Jamuga ... there is some reference to a comrade by that name at some time in his life, but nothing like the all-consuming relationship portrayed in the movie. One could have made a much more dramatic and powerful movie if one focused on his military innovations and political reforms. As often, the movie totally romanticises the Khan's life, making him larger than life and a great noble soul. Give me a break! These people were fierce, almost savage warriors who lived to conquer, and some realism would have been nice. Also, the real Khan lived to a long life, but I guess showing Omar Sharif aging was not in the interest of the studio. Also, what kind of depiction of a mongol Khan is this, without even a beard? While on this, apart from Sharif, all the other main actors are white actors. The Chinese impressions are awful.

Having said all that, the movie has a very good performance by Sharif, one of the great actors of our age, and by Stephen Boyd as Jamuga.

treat this film as a fiction and not a historic epic of genghis khan and you'll hv no problem. just to see a young omar shariff in action is worth it! his temujin is truly compelling. and now i understand why stephen boyd was also the 'bad guy' in BENHUR. for those who hv not seen this production and are into films as in gladiators, alexanda and such like would find this an enjoyment. hope someone could reproduce this into a dvd or make more copies of it.

I would really like to access a copy of this video or DVD. I have very fond memories of it.
Genghis Khan (Omar) showed power over his lover that was mesmerising to watch as a young woman. I vividly remember Genghis throwing her onto his horse and away to his bedouin tent. Very wild and wonderful. I have friends of my age who were equally entranced.
It would be great to review the movie to see if what we found so attractive then is still attractive now that we are older women! Sad! but if you do come across a copy I know of several buyers!

I think it would sell well. In my humble opinion this version of Genghis Khan's life, while probably inaccurate historically, is the best one made. It got the main point of this Conquerers life across with splendid costume, scenery, and action. It had a really honest personal combat scene in which one of the antagonists actually got kicked in the reproductive sector. Real blood and sweat! The only thing missing was Horse Archery.
Please bring it back!? I want a new copy of it.

There have been two movies about Genghis Khan, this one and the Howard Hughes stinker "The Conqueror" starring John Wayne. Sharif makes a better Khan than Wayne. The acting is better. The costumes are more colorful. The cinematography is better. Why, then should I like "The Conqueror" better? It at least makes a nodding attempt at historical accuracy.

I saw this movie on TV when I was 17, and I loved it! I was a huge Omar Sharif fan, and I thought he was wonderful as the great warrior. I was also very impressed with Francoise Dorleac and was so sorry to learn that she had died so young. I have thought many times about this movie and would so love to see it again. I really wish they'd bring it back. Who can we petition?

I understand the Khan still has a following in Mongolia. Although this movie has historical inaccuracies and what I consider some Eurocentric bias(Robert Morley as a Chinese Emperor)there is some good action scenes. I agree with one reviewer who wanted to see horse archery(see the 2000 USA Network showing "Attila" for that)The Mongols fought the same as they hunted, surrounding their quarry and then tightening the circle.
The background scenery was impressive in this movie, it did not look like California or Arizona. Please bring this film back, I will buy it!