Review by Robert Bell
Mongol is a beautifully shot, wonderfully scored epic drama sure to find international success
with a surprisingly American disposition. While the film features stunning cinematography and exceptional battle sequences, it also feels like yet another bloated Western epic with atrocious exposition-based scripting and direction that focuses on eye candy rather then subtext or meaning. Mongol isn’t a particularly good film, but marks an improvement for writer/director Sergei Bodrov (Bear’s Kiss), who has at least managed to tell a linear, somewhat cohesive story here.
In 1192, 9-year-old Temudgin has been taken to choose a wife from the troublesome Merkit clan as part of a Peace agreement. On his way there he meets a spirited young woman named Borte who captures his heart. Temudgin declares her to be his wife. A sable-skin-coat is traded, and they are to be married in five years. This doesn’t thrill Targutai of the Merkit clan, who then poisons Temudgin’s father and takes power of the clans.
The rituals of these nomadic clans do not allow the blood of a child to be slain, so Temudgin (Tadanobu Asano) becomes a fugitive, running from Targutai (Amadu Mamadakov). He is captured occasionally, builds up an army of his own, occasionally steals back his wife Borte (Khulan Chuluun), and eventually leads a giant battle-changing leadership in Mongol territory.