6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 2.3 |
This is the story of the shy Mongol boy Temujin who,during the 13th century, becomes the fearless Mongol leader Genghis Khan that unites all Mongol tribes and conquers India, China, Persia, Korea and parts of Russia, Europe and the Middle-East.
Starring: Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif, James Mason (I), Eli Wallach, Françoise DorléacForeign | 100% |
History | 55% |
Period | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
Quick — name a 1965 historical epic starring Omar Sharif. If most of the world, let alone ardent cineastes, might automatically default to Doctor Zhivago, several months before that David Lean classic arrived in theaters during the holiday season that year, Sharif was headlining another film set in an exotic locale with that oft quoted “cast of thousands”, though Genghis Khan certainly didn’t attract the ticket buying public the way Doctor Zhivago did, and it’s been consigned to a sort of ignominious fate in terms of “big” films from that era. Those not paying close attention to the credits of Genghis Khan may mistakenly think the film’s producer was Irwin Allen, which would definitely make this an outlier in the filmography of a guy better remembered for science fiction tinged offerings like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Instead the film was made under the imprimatur of Irving Allen, a journeyman impresario who had the misfortune to think that his erstwhile partner Albert Broccoli was a little crazy for wanting to adapt Ian Fleming’s James Bond tomes for the screen, and who therefore ended that relationship, and was subsequently consigned to finding a suitable alternative, which kind of hilariously turned out to be the Dean Martin Matt Helm films (note that the link points to a UK Blu-ray release). That said, Genghis Khan is at least competently produced in terms of technical aspects like production design and cinematography (in this case by the legendary Geoffrey Unsworth), but it’s a really ponderous film that probably can’t escape from the perils of hindsight in terms of some less than effective (and in “woke” terms, un-PC) casting.
Genghis Khan is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Sony - Columbia are typically very reliable curators of their catalog, but this has a pretty dated and noticeably faded appearance that often skews flesh tones decidedly toward brown, when they're not also suffused with an almost greenish undertone. There's minor but noticeable damage on display, which tends to be worse in the early going (see screenshot 19). Detail levels are generally quite good, though there are a couple of curious sudden downturns in clarity that almost look like they may have been sourced from a dupe element, or, if not, reveal considerable degradation at those moments. Grain can appear a little gritty and swarm like at times, especially against blue (or what passes for blue) skies. This is certainly going to be an upgrade for any fans of the film, but it's definitely not at the top tier that some of the other deep catalog offerings from Sony - Columbia have been.
While the cover and actual menu on this disc proclaim a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (i.e., 1.0) track, all of my players and my PC drive show this as being a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track. There's decent fidelity throughout, though some of the interesting score can sound a bit tinny, especially at the higher registers. Sound effects like thundering horses galloping across the steppes can also offer slightly anemic dynamic range. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.
There is a bit of fun to be had in Genghis Khan just in terms of the, um, eclectic cast (which also features Telly Savalas and Michael Hordern, among many others), but the film is kind of lethargic and unintentionally funny at times. Some of the vistas are impressive, and the battle scenes are generally well staged. Video looks fairly dated and exhibits a bit of damage, while audio has a slightly tinny but certainly serviceable sound. The supplements are okay if not especially fulsome, for those who may be considering making a purchase.
2014
1963
Limited Edition to 3000
1972
1964
Warner Archive Collection
1955
この世界の片隅に / Kono sekai no katasumi ni
2016
1935
火垂るの墓 | Hotaru no Haka | Remastered Edition
1988
Томирис / Tomiris
2019
スカイ・クロラ / Sukai kurora
2008
ジョバンニの島 / Jobanni no Shima
2014
Essentials
2016
1965
2017
もののけ姫 / Mononoke-hime
1997
1962
1965
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1954
ヴィンランド・サガ
2023
1971