| Director | Dick Powell |
|---|---|
| Budget | $6 million |
| Box office | $9 million |
During the 12th century, Mongol chief Temujin (later to be known as Genghis Khan) and his "blood brother" Jamuga stop a traveling caravan escorting Bortai, the daughter of the Tartars' leader Kumlek. Temujin leaves and tells Jamuga he intends to take Bortai for himself, having fallen in love with her. Jamuga tells Temujin that his actions will spark a war, but Temujin attacks and subdues the caravan. Temujin captures and then releases Targutai, the Merkit chieftain.
Bortai is brought to the Mongol camp, where Temujin's mother Hunlun angrily learns about her relation to Kumlek, her husband's murderer. Regardless, Temujin keeps her and later that night, he has Bortai sent to a tent after she refuses to dance for the Mongols. Suddenly, the Mongol camp is attacked by Targutai and his men, whereby Temujin kills him. Temujin takes Bortai outside the camp, and forcefully kisses her.
The next morning, Temujin tells Jamuga about his plans to ally with Wang Khan by claiming the Tartars and Merkits will attack Urga, Wang Khan's walled city. On their way there, Temujin tells Bortai he will be gifting Wang Khan her dowry of furs. Angered, she tries to stab Temujin, but he slaps her in return. The Mongols arrive at Wang Khan's palace, where Temujin confers with Wang Khan about the Tartars' plan of attack. Wang Khan consults his shaman, whereby the "spirits" agree with Temujin.
The next day, Temujin learns of Wang Khan's declining health and leaves the palace with Wang Khan's army to fight Kumlek and the Tartars. Along the way, Temujin is ambushed and injured but he hides in a cave. Having escaped, Jamuga finds Temujin, who informs him the Tartars have captured Bortai. Jamuga surrenders to Kumlek but is freed by Bortai to find Temujin. A day later, Kumlek's army follow Jamuga to the cave and capture Temujin, who suspects Jamuga of betrayal. Temujin is tied to a yoke and brought before Kumlek.
Inside the camp, Bortai frees Temujin, who successfully escapes and returns to the Mongol camp, where Jamuga has been made the new chieftain. Temujin accuses him of treachery, but Jamuga denies it and accompanies Kasar, a Mongol warrior, to Wang Khan's palace. There, they inform him that Temujin's forces will meet Wang Khan by the next full moon. However, the shaman schemes to have Jamuga and Kasar imprisoned in their room. While Jamuga escapes through the window, Kasar is killed. Jamuga flees on horseback, but is captured by Kumlek.
The shaman then visits Temujin at his camp, and advises him to seize Urga. During the siege, the shaman stabs Wang Khan in his bedroom, unaware that Temujin was nearby. Wang Khan reveals the shaman's scheme before dying. Temujin kills the shaman in revenge and unites the Mongols and Khan's armies to war against the Tartars. A battle ensues, in which Temujin's armies defeat the Tartars. Temuijin reunites with Bortai and kills Kumlek.
Jamuga names Temujin with the honorary title "Genghis Khan" and asks to be executed, knowing he will never regain Temujin's trust. Temujin complies with Jamuga's request, and forms the Mongol Empire.