The Conqueror (1956)
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The story
During the 12th century, Mongol chief Temujin and his 'blood brother' Jamuga intercept a caravan carrying Bortai, the daughter of the Tartars' leader Kumlek. Having fallen in love with her, Temujin intends to take her for himself, despite Jamuga's warnings that such actions will spark a war. Temujin captures the caravan and brings Bortai to his camp, where he faces opposition from his mother, Hunlun. Amidst a series of violent encounters and shifting alliances with various chieftains and leaders, Temujin seeks to expand his influence and secure his destiny as a powerful ruler.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In the 12th century, Mongol chief Temujin (Genghis Khan) and his 'blood brother' Jamuga intercept a caravan carrying Bortai, the daughter of the Tartars' leader Kumlek. Temujin, in love with Bortai, takes her to his camp despite Jamuga's warnings of war. After a violent confrontation where Temujin kills the Merkit chieftain Targutai, he keeps Bortai. Temujin plans to ally with Wang Khan by claiming the Tartars and Merkits will attack Urga. During the journey, Temujin is ambushed and injured, eventually hiding in a cave. Jamuga surrenders to Kumlek but is freed by Bortai to find Temujin. Kumlek captures Temujin, but Bortai frees him, allowing him to return to his camp where Jamuga has been made the new chieftain. Temujin accuses Jamuga of treachery. Later, a shaman schemes to assassinate Wang Khan; Temujin kills the shaman in revenge and unites the Mongols and Khan's armies. In the final battle, Temujin's forces defeat the Tartars. Temujin reunites with Bortai and kills Kumlek. Jamuga, knowing he will never regain Temujin's trust, asks to be executed. Temujin complies, and Jamuga names him 'Genghis Khan' as he forms the Mongol Empire.
- First release year
- 1956
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Dick Powell
- Writers
- Oscar Millard · writer
- Cast and characters
- John Wayne · Temujin, later Genghis Khan; Susan Hayward · Bortai; Agnes Moorehead · Hunlun; Pedro Armendáriz · Jamuga; Thomas Gomez · Wang Khan; John Hoyt · Shaman; William Conrad · Kasar; Ted de Corsia · Kumlek
- Genres
- epic; historical adventure; drama
- Themes
- Empire building; Betrayal; Love and obsession; Warfare
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Sensational; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical Drama; Action; Adventure; Epic
- Reception
- The film was critically panned and is often ranked as one of the worst films of the 1950s and ever made. While it had a respectable box office performance, it was a financial failure due to its high budget. Critics mocked the casting of John Wayne and the quality of the dialogue.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Turkey Award · Worst Casting · 1980 · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was shot near a nuclear testing site, leading to controversy over crew illnesses.; The film was RKO's first film shot in CinemaScope.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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