Taras Bulba (1962)

Taras Bulba (1962) (DVD) (*)

$20.99

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
English ( Mono )
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Mono )
Spanish ( Mono )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/NTSC/Region 0 )

Running Time:
124 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1962 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )
Yugoslavia ( Russia, Eastern Europe )

Directed By:
J. Lee Thompson

Written By:
Waldo Salt
Karl Tunberg

Actors:
Tony Curtis ..... Andrei Bulba
Yul Brynner ..... Taras Bulba
Sam Wanamaker ..... Filipenko
Brad Dexter ..... Shilo
Guy Rolfe ..... Prince Grigory
Perry Lopez ..... Ostap Bulba
George Macready ..... Governor
Ilka Windish ..... Sofia Bulba
Vladimir Sokoloff ..... Old Stepan
Vladimir Irman ..... Grisha Kubenko
Daniel Ocko ..... Ivan Mykola
Abraham Sofaer ..... Abbot
Mickey Finn ..... Korzh
Richard Rust ..... Capt. Alex
Ron Weyand ..... Tymoshevsky

Synopsis:

The spectacular hordes of Cossack horsemen flying across the steppes to do battle with first one enemy and then another are the highlights of this costume drama set in the 16th century in the Ukraine. After the Cossack leader Taras Bulba (Yul Brynner) makes a pact with the Poles to join forces against the Turks and drive them from the European steppes, victory brings betrayal as the Poles then turn on their ally and force the Cossacks into the hills. From there, Taras Bulba decides that one of his sons, Andrei (Tony Curtis), will be sent to Polish schools to better learn the nature of their enemy. While away from home and hearth, the adult Andrei falls in love with a Polish noblewoman, Natalia (Christine Kaufmann, who would become the second Mrs. Curtis). As time progresses, the tensions between father and son, loyalty and love, ethnic identity and assimilation steadily increase until they end in tragedy. Taras Bulba was nominated for a 1963 Academy Award for "Best Music", scored by Franz Waxman.

Set in the 16th century when the Cossack communities of the Ukraine maintained a barbarous armed camp, the Setch, south of the Dieper, and who fought battles against the Tartars, Turks and the Poles. The story of Cossack Taras Bulba and his two sons, Ostap and Andrei - the latter both sent to the city to learn and train. Whilst in Dubno, Andrei encounters Pannotchka, the daughter of the Voivode of Dubno, and the two fall in love. The two brothers return to their Cossack community, and whilst celebrating, news comes that the Poles are attacking the Cossacks. The Cossacks fight back and surround Dubno, laying seige to the city, whose inhabitants soon start to starve. Pannotchka's maid manages to slip out of the city and find Andrei, begging him to get food to her mistress and the city. Swayed, Andrei raids the food stores and heads towards the city. However, he is spotted by Yankel, a Jewish trader previously rescued by Taras, who tells Ostap and Taras what Andrei is doing. He is pursued, but escapes into the city, where he is made a knight. Word comes to Taras that the Tartars have attacked their camp and taken the women and children, and he halves his army to pursue them. Seeing the weakening of the Cossack army, the Poles attack, including Andrei. Andrei is shot by his own father, and Ostap is captured. A grieving Pannotchka goes through the battlefield looking for Andrei's body. Ostap is due to be hung, and in his last moments calls out for his father, who has entered the city secretly to see his son one last time. He responds to his son's call and is also seized.

The Cossacks of Eastern Europe join the Poles to rid the Turks from the Steps of Europe. In return for their aid, the Poles agree to give control of the Steps to the Cossacks. After the battle, however, the Poles back out of their agreement and force the Cossacks into the hills. Taras Bulba, a Cossack Colonel, raises his son, Andrei Bulba to learn the ways of the Poles so he can one day defeat them in battle. In his learning process, however, Andrei falls in love with the daughter of a Polish Nobleman. This twist causes Andrei Bulba to choose between the love of the Cossacks, and the love of a woman, and causes Taras Bulba to choose between the love of his son, and the love of the Cossacks.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 20 August, 2024.