I saw trailers for this movie a while back but completely missed its release here in the US. I guess it worked out because Garry and I ended up seeing it together on his laptop last night. Mongol was not only a breathtaking spectacle of a movie (otherworldly scenery, sweeping vistas, lush textures, fast-paced battle sequences), but it was really satisfying too in its sensitive portrayal of a controversial historical figure (Ghengis Khan), his lifetime love/partnership with his wife, Borte, and the sufferings, loyalties, alliances, and betrayals he endured on his way to becoming the fearsome/fearless leader he was.
The movie was made by a Russian director who had been taught in school that Genghis Khan was nothing but a monster, but later learned of the nuances that colored his early life. The production budget was $18M (unbelievably cheap for a historical epic like this!) but the look was very expensive. Two of the lead characters were Japanese and Chinese (but everyone spoke Mongolian), but nearly everyone else, including the newcomer who played Borte, was Mongolian. I'm completely inspired that they were able to pull off such a fantastic production for so little money and with so little experience.
Definitely check it out if you like historical dramas, war movies, or just very well executed films.
