Russian director - Sergei Bodrov - successfully translated the dramatic early life of Temudjin aka Genghis Khan onto the screen - giving us a well-crafted historical tale of epic proportions worthy of its Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nomination. MONGOL(first film of a trilogy) has beautifully filmed landscapes from locations in China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The scope of this movie is encompassing and touched on the culture, ritual/customs, lifestyles, costumes, languages, religions/spirituality, and societies of 12th century Mongolia. Director Sergei Bodrov and the international cast of MONGOL captured, conveyed, and added depth to the multi-dimensional facets of the characters in the movie with believable portrayals against such gorgeously composed exotic backdrops. It is so refreshing to see real-life action once again - instead of the now-standard Hollywood computer-image generated faux scenes. Recommendation: GO SEE IT and BE INSPIRED! GRADE: A

This international film about the early life of Temudgin, known to history as Genghis Khan, is one of the best films I have seen in some time. The cinematography is superb, the acting conveys just the right emotions and the music heightened the film. Some might fault Mongol for being slow paced, but I feel this was deliberate in order to give a non-Mongol audience the chance to digest a new culture and information that is totally foreign except the student of 12th and 13th Century Non-Western Civilizations. The film garnered an R rating probably primarily because of the graphic portrayal of violence and bloodshed during its battle scenes coupled with some of the adult but everyday language and one well-done sex scene between Tenudgin and his wife. I teach World Civilizations on the college level and will definitely recommend this film to my students in the introductory course of World Civilizations as well as to anyone simply wanting to see an extremely well made motion pictur

If you love history or epic stories or Asia, Mongol is for you. The story of Genghis Khan, it is filmed in China, Mongolia and Khazakstan where the land is vast and beautiful. It tells the story of the boy from age 10 until he unites all the Mongols under his leadership. It is also the story about his committed and unconditional relationship to his wife and family and shows that relationship as central to his life. In turn, it saved him many times. Georgous film, great music.

My husband and I went to see Mongol because of the trailers (which were few and far between) we saw on TV. As history buffs, we were interested in the life of Ghengis Khan. This movie surprised though because instead of it being about his rule as the Khan of the Mongols, it tells the story of how he becomes Khan in a very symbolic and beautiful way. We enjoyed the gorgeous cinematography, and its influence in the film. It, too, is very much a major character in the film. Additionally, the supporting actors were excellent--especially the actress who plays Ghengis Khan's wife. We agree that if you enjoy sweeping epics with beautiful scenery, you should see this on the big screen before it gets away.

No movie is perfect and even if you love this one - like I did - you'll find a couple of things about it to pick at. But overall this film is a masterpeice. It is powerful, gorgeous, and emotional. And there are plenty of good life lessons in it too. Run, don't walk, too see Mongol.