The 1956 movie “The Conqueror” is a film that has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. It is a movie that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the ethics of Hollywood and the film industry as a whole. The movie, which starred John Wayne as the Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan, has been criticized for its casting choices and for the tragic events that followed its filming. Now, nearly 70 years later, a new documentary titled “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” aims to shed light on the dark history of this infamous film.

The story of “The Conqueror” begins in the 1950s, when Hollywood was at the height of its power and influence. The film industry was booming and studios were constantly looking for new and exciting projects to captivate audiences. It was during this time that producer Howard Hughes decided to make a movie about the legendary conqueror Genghis Khan. However, instead of casting an Asian actor for the lead role, Hughes chose John Wayne, a white American actor, to play the part.

This decision was met with immediate backlash and criticism from the public and the media. Many argued that it was disrespectful and offensive to cast a non-Asian actor as one of the most iconic figures in Asian history. However, Hughes was determined to make the movie and went ahead with his controversial casting choice.

But the controversy surrounding “The Conqueror” did not end there. The film was shot in the desert of St. George, Utah, which was just downwind from a nuclear test site. At the time, the United States government was conducting nuclear tests in the area, and the cast and crew of the movie were exposed to high levels of radiation during filming. This exposure would later have devastating consequences.

Soon after the filming of “The Conqueror” wrapped up, a series of tragic events began to unfold. Many of the cast and crew members, including John Wayne, fell ill with cancer and other serious health issues. In fact, out of the 220 people who worked on the film, 91 of them developed cancer and 46 of them died from the disease. This alarming number of deaths led to the movie being dubbed “The Conqueror of Cancer”.

The documentary “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” aims to tell the story of this ill-fated film and the people who were affected by it. The filmmakers have conducted extensive research and interviews with surviving cast and crew members, as well as experts in the fields of film and radiation. Through their documentary, they hope to shed light on the dark history of “The Conqueror” and raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear testing and the importance of ethical casting choices in the film industry.

The documentary also delves into the controversy surrounding the casting of John Wayne as Genghis Khan. It explores the issue of whitewashing in Hollywood and the lack of representation for Asian actors in the film industry. The filmmakers hope that by bringing attention to this issue, they can spark a conversation and bring about positive change in the industry.

Despite the tragic events that surrounded “The Conqueror”, the documentary also highlights the resilience and strength of the people involved in the film. Many of the surviving cast and crew members have come forward to share their stories and speak out against the injustices that occurred during the making of the movie. Their bravery and determination to tell the truth is truly inspiring and serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling.

In conclusion, “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” is a documentary that not only sheds light on a dark chapter in Hollywood history, but also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unethical practices in the film industry. It is a story of tragedy, controversy, and ultimately, resilience. The filmmakers hope that through their documentary, they can honor the memory of those who were affected by “The Conqueror” and bring about positive change in the film industry.