The Golden Empire

2013 • 129 minutes

About this movie

Set during the height of power of the most savage and feared empire on earth, THE GOLDEN EMPIRE is an epic adventure telling the rise and fall of the great Khan, leader of the Mongol Horde. When the Khan dynasty is beset by bloodshed, a brutal and bloody fight to crown a new leader erupts, threatening the very existence of their people and those they aim to conquer. This dramatic re-telling of the seizure of power makes THE GOLDEN EMPIRE a gripping, barbaric story like no other. © Cultural Fund « Cinema TV Company » Orthodox encyclopedia 2012.

Ratings and reviews

TL;DR version: Somewhat entertaining but the synopsis and the picture are completely misleading. This is not a "gripping retelling of the seizure of power" and has very little action in that. As a film this was okay but the synopsis is completely misleading. The main plot resolves around a priest sent to heal the Khan's mother and the trials and tribulations he faces whilst amongst the Mongols. The film doesn't tell the story of the rise and fall of the "great Khan" as that's more of a subplot in the background. Nor does it focus on it much at all. Furthermore, the great Khan in this film definitely isn't Genghis Khan or any of his notable successors. The Khan certainly never does any conquering or fighting in the film. That said, it's not a bad film - just definitely not what the synopsis would have you think. If you're looking for a mildly interesting of the priest through the Horde set against a backdrop of suffering and an accurate depiction of the Mongol lifestyle inside a city then this is a great film. Just don't expect to see a might khan conquering all before him or ruthlessly fighting his rivals.