Why Aren't There Any Good Genghis Khan Movies?

Depends on one's definition of a 'good' movie. The legendary one with John Wayne woefully miscast as the Khan is arguably one of the worst and most lethal movies ever made. A later one with Omar Sharif in the title role was mediocre at best and also unworthy of its subject matter. The best Genghis Khan biopic to date is Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan. It’s also a surprisingly good date movie. My GF at the time perfectly described it as “A ‘Batman Begins’ for Temujin.” It was supposed to be the first part of a trilogy but sadly looks to be the only part due to various factors—politics and economics. Again...

Why Not More Good Genghis Khan Movies?

As to why there are not more well-crafted Genghis Khan movies, one sees a common thread among these movies: big budgets. If movies don't make money, especially in key markets such as the US, they won’t get made.

Mongol did well internationally but not in the US largely because it did not have a saturation marketing campaign or portray the Khan as a capped superhero. Being subtitled didn’t help either because most American moviegoers hate to read. Its sequel reportedly started filming in 2019. It is highly unlikely it will ever come to fruition, lamentably for us GK fans.

The Impact of Historical and Cultural Context

Genghis Khan was not kind to those he had conquered, and hence, those countries that knew him the best do not want to make a film of him. Additionally, Mongolia is not strong or sophisticated enough to make a good film. These factors contribute to the scarcity of high-quality Genghis Khan movies.

However, Sergei Bodrov’s Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan (2007) is not bad. It is a fact-based epic that traces the early and tumultuous years of legendary warrior Genghis Khan, then known as Temüjin. In 1192, Temüjin is a prisoner in the Tangut Kingdom, recounting his story through a series of flashbacks. Despite the killing of his father, the betrayal of his friend, and even being forced to serve as a slave, Temüjin still creates his own path for future greatness. He hones his battle skills and marries Borte, whose love and reliability are crucial to his historic success as a conqueror.

Conclusion

It is clear that while there are challenges in creating Genghis Khan movies, the legends and stories surrounding him continue to captivate audiences. With the right approach and financial backing, a more comprehensive Genghis Khan movie could emerge, fulfilling the desires of fans and historians alike. The Great Khan would appreciate this more than any movie.