Temudgin, Genghis Khan, Chingghis Khan (however you wish to record his name) was probably the favorite character in World History AP this year for my students and myself.  In November we spent a week studying nomadic culture, the life of Genghis Khan, and culminated in writing a Document Based Question (Sources Question – part of the Advanced Placement test) exploring contemporary attitudes to the great man himself.  My students were gripped by the stories told about Genghis Khan, particularly Persian tales of Mongols ripping babies out of pregnant women.  They even face-booked about their memories!

Genghis Khan has been written about by contemporaries and historians, but he has become more than that.  He appears regularly in popular culture.  In Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure he is taking from his time to ravage a mall.  In 1979 the German band Dschinghis Khan produced the theme song of my AP class this year… apparently some of them even listened to it in their cars :-D

This made the release of the Russian movie Mongol a little more interesting to me.  I don’t think that I have been quite as excited about a movie for a while.  My wife and I went to see it at the AFI theater in Sliver Spring, MD last week.  While I was disappointed in some of the edits, and the rambling nature of the plot, I was captivated by the scenery, the depiction of nomadic life and, of course, the story of Temudgin himself.

I think it also presents a great opportunity for those of us who are World History teachers…

When the movie first came out there were a number of postings on the list-serve for World History AP teachers on the College Board website.  Some thought it was engaging, others were frustrated with the liberties it takes with Temudgin’s life (the romance for one – in the film he does not seem quite as prolific as history suggests).  I was more interested in what the movie says about contemporary Russia:  This is a Russian language movie eulogizing the Asian conqueror of European Russia.  Here is a ruler being praised for uncompromising strength and his ability to unite a nation.  Are both of these ideas 21st century Russian?

Next year I am going to show students clips from the movie, ask them to study the movie’s website, and read this article discussing the contemporary relevance of Bodorov’s production.  They will then compare the movie to other interpretations of Genghis Khan, both modern and medieval.  I think this could provoke some compelling blogs posts, and engage them with an ongoing debate about the identity of a man who changed history almost by the force of his personality alone.

What did you think of the movie?  Want to join the debate in November?

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