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Rating: Country: U.S.A. Release Date: May 30, 2006 Distributor: Universal Studios Director: · Dick Powell Cast: · John Wayne · Susan Hayward · Pedro Armendáriz · Agnes Moorehead Related Sites: · IMDb: The Conqueror Grade: D+

"The Conqueror", the fourth of five films packaged in the John Wayne - An American Icon Collection, is a misbegotten period epic that can trace its origins to producer Dick Powell's wastebasket. That's where John Wayne recovered the script when he was in Powell's office at RKO discussing his next cinematic project. Believe me, it belonged in the garbage, and this 1956 Howard Hughes-produced film belongs right beside it.

Wayne stars as 12th century Mongolian warlord Temujin, who will go on to become the notorious Genghis Khan. Yes, you read that right -- Fu Manchu mustache, slanty-eye makeup and the whole works. As miscast as that seems, it's equaled by Susan Hayward as the beautiful (redhead?!) Tartar princess Bortai.

The Conqueror (1956) is one of five films featured in the new DVD release John Wayne - An American Icon Collection.

Temujin wars with a rival tribe who killed his father and, in the process, captures Bortai, the soon-to-be-wife of its leader, Targutai (Leslie Bradley). Temujin decides he must have Bortai as his own. Bortai is not at all enamored with the might warrior and, in captivity, attempts to turn his blood brother Jemuga (Pedro Armendáriz) against him. It seems even the disapproval of Temujin's mother Hunlun (Agnes Moorehead) won't sway him from this dangerous liaison.

Wang Khan (Thomas Gomez) meets Temujin in the Gobi Desert with the conqueror claiming the emperor's title. Needless to say, this one's campy as all get-out. Among other cast members is a relatively thin William Conrad as Temujin's other brother Kasar. The "period" dialogue tumbles clumsily from mouths. Just picture in your mind John Wayne spouting dialogue like, "She is a woman - much woman. Should her perfidy be less than that of other women?" or "While I live, while my blood burns hot, your daughter is not safe in her tent." Everyone pretty much looks like they're attending a costume party. Without embarrassment, I'll admit to falling asleep the first time I attempted to watch it.

Other than making many lists as the one of the worst films of all time, it has a more sinister legacy. It was filmed near nuclear test grounds and, when they were unable to film on-site, they imported sand from the location to continue shooting. Speculation has the tainted environs contributing to the cancerous death of several stars and crew members who worked on the film.

Guilt over this supposed radiation exposure allegedly led Hughes to buy up all the prints to remove them from circulation. His efforts succeeded as "The Conqueror" didn't see the light of day for nearly twenty years after its initial release. In fact, this is one of the two films Hughes watched repeated in the nude during his mentally unhinged later life in Las Vegas -- if that knowledge in any way enhances your viewing experience. Somehow careers survived the debacle, and it's only through sheer star power that Wayne is able to elicit a watchable performance from this rubbish-bound spectacle.

Features include the theatrical trailer. While it's not closed-captioned, there are optional English, Spanish, or French subtitles as well as scene selection. It is presented in wide-screen format.

Running Time: 111 minutes.