The young Temujin sees his father tortured and killed by a rival Mongol tribe led by Jamuga.

Temujin escapes and hides in the hills, followed by holy man Geen and mute warrior Sengal, who pledge their allegiance to him.

Raids along caravan routes increase the size of his army, and Temujin decides to capture and take Bortai as his wife, and he succeeds.

Kam Ling, a stranded Chinese ambassador, is helped by Temujin, and he accompanies the diplomat into Song China, where he meets the Emperor.

Despite being well fed, given elegant clothing and experiencing luxuries such as bathing, wine and the arts, Temujin, Geen and Bortai's brothers agree that they are prisoners.

Kam Ling secretly discloses to Temujin and his group that the emperor fears the Mongols staying in China.

The Mongols break out of their captivity by tricking the Emperor to personally light the final fireworks display at the end of a festival.

The Mongols break out, taking the Emperor's daughter and Kam Ling with them and begin their legendary conquest of Asia.

[1] Allen and Euan Lloyd (who worked in publicity) wanted to make a follow-up called Clive of India based on a script by Terence Young but it was never made.