Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan

1950. Philippines. Directed by Manuel Conde, Lou Salvador. Screenplay by Conde. With Elvira Reyes, Inday Jalandori, Jose Villafranca, Salvador. The multi-talented, ferociously active director Manuel Conde had made seventeen films before landing a breakout international hit with Genghis Khan, the first Filipino film to show at the Venice Film Festival. It was at this prestigious event that the epic film was picked up for American theatrical distribution, and it played to great success on the repertory circuit for the next quarter century. Genghis Khan is a biopic of the early days of the Mongol leader, still known under his peasant name Temujin (and played by Conde himself), as he ascends to power through bloody land struggles and daring acts of vengeance. The film was a noted favorite of the novelist and critic James Agee, who wrote a narration for American audiences to help explain the original Tagalog dialogue and historical details. Restored by the Film Development Council of the Philippines/National Film Archive of the Philippines and La Biennale di Venezia (projected digitally). Restoration done by L’Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. English-track version by James Agee. 91 min.