Mongol

In the vast Mongolian steppe in 1172, nine-year-old Temudgin and his father, tribal leader Esugei, venture on horseback toward the territory of the Merkits, a brutal rival tribe. Accompanied by a clan of horsemen, their mission is to make peace with the tribe by finding a Merkit wife for the young boy. But along the way, Temudgin becomes smitten with Borte, a feisty ten-year-old from a friendly tribe. Despite his original plans, Esugei concedes to a betrothal, to be consummated in five years, between the young lovers. After Temudgin and Borte exchange tender goodbyes, the father, son, and tribesmen embark on their journey home only to find malevolence in their way. Esugei is poisoned and dies. And to make matters worse, embittered tribesman Targutai usurps Temudgin's claim to power and vows to kill the boy when he comes of age. In MONGOL, Sergei Bodrov's stunning epic of love and betrayal, Temudgin will stop at nothing to reclaim his bride and his birthright and to fulfill his destiny as the famed warrior Genghis Khan. (In Mongolian with English subtitles) – EJB