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One of the Worst Movies of All Time

William Nunez

Talk about bad. Not only does the 1965-film “The Conqueror” feature John Wayne, of all people, in the leading role as Genghis Khan, but its production may have led to cancer diagnoses in the cast and crew.

Much of “The Conqueror” was shot near St. George, Utah, which happened to be downwind of the Nevada nuclear testing site, where, a year before the filming began, some of the most powerful nuclear tests occurred. In later years, 91 of the 220 crewmembers developed cancer, and many of them died of it. The documentary “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” tells the story of the film’s notorious production, from the woefully miscast Wayne to the tragic — and ongoing — consequences of nuclear fallout.

“The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout” is part of our Through the Lens film series with the Utah Film Center. You can join us for a screening followed by a Q&A with director William Nunez and producer Doug Waller on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Salt Lake City Library.

You can find more information about how to attend here. *Please note: we are starting the screening 30 minutes earlier to accommodate for the length of the film. 

GUESTS –

William Nunez | Director of “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout”

Doug Waller | Producer of “The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout”

Airdate: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2023, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.