In which movie did John Wayne play Genghis Khan?

The Conqueror is a 1956 American CinemaScope epic film directed by Dick Powell and written by Oscar Millard. The film stars John Wayne as the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan and co-stars Susan Hayward, Agnes Moorehead, and Pedro Armendáriz. Produced by entrepreneur Howard Hughes, the film was principally shot near St. George, Utah.

The film was a critical flop (often ranked as one of the worst films of the 1950s and one of the worst ever) despite the stature of the cast. The Conqueror was listed in the 1978 book The Fifty Worst Films of All Time.

Reportedly, Hughes felt guilty about his decisions regarding the film's production, particularly over the decision to film at a hazardous site . He bought every print of the film for $12 million and kept it out of circulation for many years until Universal Pictures purchased the film from his estate in 1979. The Conqueror, along with Ice Station Zebra, is said to be one of the films Hughes watched endlessly during his last years.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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34 Comments

Richard G Schwartz

Didn't a lot of cast and crew members die of cancer from radiation while making this movie?

Marlen Brown

I guessed correctly, although I didn't remember the title. I remember how ridiculous John Wayne looked as this Mongolian ruler.

Stanley Scott

Richard G Schwartz, You're right half the cast and crew suffered from cancer or other health problems dying before their time.

SmartyPlayer

When I read about a celebrity, l like to know if they're still alive or have passed away and when.

patrickdocmcwilliams

"I grieve that I cannot salute thee as thou deservest, for I am bereft of spit". A line I'll never forget. Don't know if he was referring to the enemy king or the producers of the film. Most of the actors in this film who died of cancer were also heavy smokers.