Taras Bulba

Bortko set out to make an apparent epic here, but sadly, missed an opportunity to tell a great story. I researched Gogol before watching this film; the essence of the story is covered in the film's plot. What Gogol did NOT include was the Russian polemic which slaps you in the face at every turn in this film.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that casting and costuming were great! Fabulous actors, wonderful faces, but a sodden, leaden, boring script deprived them of a chance to display their true talent. Bogdan Stupka is always a pleasure to watch, and for a better version of these times, watch Hoffman's 1999 Polish epic "Ogniem i mieczem", in which Stupka plays Bogdan Khmelnitski.

The patriotic speeches, both in the sich and during the battle death scenes, slowed the movie to a dead crawl (no pun intended!) and greatly detracted from the film's impact. As others have noted, this is truly a Ukrainian story, not a Russian one. Ukraine was mentioned only twice in the movie (I counted). Endless speeches (particularly with a slit stomach) about the sacred Russian soil really have no place in a story about Polish/Ukrainian struggles, and only serve to underscore that the film's budget was heavily subsidized by the Russian government. At a time when the East and West need to work together to solve this world's problems, western xenophobia seems highly counterproductive. Such films only widen the divide and hurt us all as creatures of this planet.

One note about the score: nice idea again, but endlessly repetitious. I recognized in the main theme a variation of a famous Ukrainian carol "Novo radist stala", which I have sung many times, but it was extremely overdone. A little variation would have been nice. The repetitive score reminded me of another score for Bortko's "The Idiot", a wonderful Russian serial based on the Dostoevsky novel (2003). More endless repetition of the musical theme was the one negative in an otherwise flawless ensemble of actors and a compelling story.

In summary, this film was watchable but mostly boring. Some of the horrendously violent scenes made me cross myself. Not a total waste of two hours; however, it left me feeling that it could have been so much better with a little more effort and less propaganda.

Bogdan Stupka. in fight to create a credible Taras. a literary gem. who becomes a political tool. that is all. the film has a lot of sins but the basic problem is the ambition to create a Hollywood blockbuster as support for the Kremlin 's interest. the fragile beauty of the book is lost. the Kozaks becomes Russian puppets. the Pole society is victim of a Manicheism who not convince and not impress. the entire story becomes an aggressive political speech. sure, many historical films from the East Europe are illustrations of the same recipes. but under the Communism regime. and the delicate problem is to transform Ukraine in a part of Russia, to use special effects for ignore the senses of book, to destroy a noble idea for a not real decent result. short, a Russian story. full of nationalism. and not convincing . useful for a kind of public . and not more that.

Unfortunately, this version of the great classic does not do it great justice. Bohdan Stupka's great performance does not elicit much response in either Vladimir Vdovichenkov as the brave Ostap or Igor Petrenko as the tragically star-struck Andrii. Partly, this looks like a poor script as the lines follow just too closely the original text of Gogol. Partly, this goes to the director's focus which was far more on the settings than dialogues, except when delivering propaganda one-liners a la Eisenstein or Dovzhenko.

Overall, this version of Taras Bulba seems just too much of an agitprop forthe new Cossack village creed of militant Russian patriotism and pride in martial traditions of the legendary steppe marauders which finds its natural outlet in heavy drinking and voting loyalty to Yedinaya Rossija.

Film initially glue you with seat. You feel it interesting. Faces expressing the personality. Good photograph. But when you reach to the end, too much spilling of blood on screen nourish distaste. It would have been a good picture if it had sensible editing.

.... And I guess that's the problem. Unabashed patriotism is OK for some, not for others. The Zaporozhians' battles in defence of Orthodoxy, when it was being attacked on two fronts, is a story that must not be forgotten. The film is impressive in its historical detail, costumes, etc.... the music (and some of the acting) is a little melodramatic, but I think it's a fitting thing for a rousing film. The scene of cossacks writing a letter to the Ottoman Sultan (an actual event from 1675) is reminiscent of the famous Repin painting depicting it. A grittier, less glam/swashbuckling version than the Yul Brynner classic, but that's what this story needs. It will never get wide theatrical release in North America because it is too honest, and not politically correct enough. Who cares. It's in my video collection, and it is becoming a favourite quickly.