Cast overview: | |||
John Gilbert | ... | Lukashka | |
Renée Adorée | ... | Maryana | |
Ernest Torrence | ... | Ivan | |
Nils Asther | ... | Prince Olenin Stieshneff | |
Paul Hurst | ... | Sitchi | |
Dale Fuller | ... | Ulitka - Maryana's Mother | |
Mary Alden | ... | Lukashka's Mother | |
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Josephine Borio | ... | Stepka |
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Yorke Sherwood | ... | Uncle Eroshka |
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Joseph Marievsky | ... | Turkish Spy (as Joseph Mari) |
Lukashka is the son of a fierce Cossack chief, but he would rather relax in the woods or flirt with his sweetheart Maryana than go to battle with the neighboring Turks. However, his life changes when he is publicly humiliated by his fellow villagers and rejected by Maryana, who regard him as a coward. Overnight, Lukashka proves himself a capable warrior to prove them all wrong, impressing his father and Maryana; however, when she tries to apologize for her cruel treatment of him, he ignores her, even though he is still in love with her. Matters get complicated when the Tsar's son comes to village in search of a bride and sets his eyes on Maryana. And then there's still the Turks to contend with... Written by cupcakes
Cossack culture is being rebuilt as we speak.
I don't understand these words by a prior reviewer here:
"(The plot) will no doubt ruffle the feathers of a few feminists, as the Cossack men and women are amazingly primitive!! The women stay home and work like dogs while the men do what any macho man would do (...).
Why does it seem that women who think women are humans (aka 'feminists,' apparently) should have feathers, and that those would 'ruffle' because another woman likes to stay home and work like a dog to make a nice place for herself and her kids to live? Seems very feminist to me.
Furthermore, Cossack chivalry is a way of life for Cossack societies. They invented the idea of asking a young lady for her hand, which young ladies found more pleasant than being stolen by some primitive tribe. So, Even to say the notion that women can love to have a home, and some babies, and a man who can ride a horse and brings money and food...and roses...to say that is primitive is an indication that the reviewer's values are quite different from those I hold :)
Anyway, glad this flick has some more fans!