The 1956 film, The Conqueror, featuring legendary actors John Wayne and Susan Hayward, had all the ingredients for success – an exciting plot and a talented cast. However, despite a relatively successful performance at the box office, it would go down in history as one of the worst movies ever made. Critics widely consider it one of the worst films of the 1950s, and it even earned John Wayne a Golden Turkey Award for his performance.
Before production began, John Wayne was at the peak of his career and passionately lobbied for the role of Genghis Khan. However, the casting of Wayne as the Mongol chief was seen as a glaring mistake by critics and audiences alike. Despite his immense talent, he simply wasn’t suited for the role. Many believe that if someone else had been cast as Genghis Khan, the film might not have faced such harsh criticism.
Though The Conqueror was a setback for John Wayne, he would later bounce back and win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in True Grit in 1969. Sometimes, failure can be a valuable learning experience, and Wayne likely gained valuable insights from the movie. Despite the acclaim he received for his performance in True Grit, the shadow of The Conqueror’s tragic legacy continued to haunt his career and added a bittersweet note to his later successes.
However, the true history of The Conqueror is far darker than its cinematic failure. After the film’s release, a series of tragic deaths were linked to its creation. The film was shot in St. George, Utah, near a nuclear testing site, and it is believed that the radioactive fallout from the tests contributed to the deaths of several cast and crew members. Susan Hayward, Agnes Moorehead, and John Wayne himself all succumbed to cancer, raising concerns about the effects of the nuclear testing.
Producer Howard Hughes, wracked with guilt over the film’s tragic consequences, purchased every existing copy of The Conqueror, reportedly spending $12 million to prevent its further distribution. Today, the film is largely remembered as a cautionary tale, a cinematic flop overshadowed by the untimely deaths of its lead actors. The legacy of The Conqueror stands as a grim reminder of the potential consequences that can accompany the pursuit of artistic endeavors, leaving a somber and chilling tale in the annals of Hollywood history.
The dark past of The Conqueror begins with the film’s production, which took place in St. George, Utah, near the site of nuclear testing. Unbeknownst to the cast and crew, the location had been exposed to radioactive fallout from the nuclear tests conducted by the U.S. government. Tragically, this exposure would later have severe consequences for the lives of those involved with the film.
John Wayne, a Hollywood icon and legendary actor, had achieved immense success in his career, starring in numerous classic films and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in cinema. However, his decision to take on the role of Genghis Khan in The Conqueror would be a pivotal moment with devastating consequences. The casting choice was widely criticized, as Wayne, known for his cowboy roles and all-American image, seemed out of place portraying the Mongol conqueror. Despite his acting prowess, the role ultimately tarnished his reputation and earned him scorn from critics.
Similarly, Susan Hayward, a talented and accomplished actress, was also affected by her involvement in The Conqueror. She had already established herself as one of Hollywood’s leading ladies, receiving critical acclaim and awards for her performances. However, the role of Bortai, the daughter of the leader of Tartar, in The Conqueror did not align with her usual roles, and her performance received mixed reviews. Tragically, like Wayne, Hayward would also suffer from health issues related to the film’s production location.
In the years following the film’s release, a series of heartbreaking tragedies unfolded. Several members of the cast and crew, including Susan Hayward, Agnes Moorehead, and John Wayne, were diagnosed with cancer. The link between the film’s production location and the radiation exposure from nuclear testing became evident, leading to a dark cloud of suspicion and guilt hovering over The Conqueror.
John Wayne battled stomach cancer, which eventually claimed his life on June 11, 1979. Susan Hayward also faced a tough battle with brain cancer, succumbing to the disease on March 14, 1975. Their untimely deaths were painful reminders of the film’s ill-fated production and the tragic toll it had taken on the lives of those involved.
While John Wayne and Susan Hayward had illustrious careers filled with successes, their involvement in The Conqueror marked a sad end to their journeys. The film’s critical failure, combined with the devastating health consequences, tainted the legacies of these iconic actors. Despite their remarkable talent and contributions to cinema, their connection to The Conqueror remains a somber reminder of the potential price paid for artistic pursuits and the dark shadows that can linger over even the most celebrated careers.
