The Sword and the Dragon (1956)

A mythical knight goes on an epic journey and fights barbarian hordes in an ancient land.

Director:

Aleksandr Ptushko

Writer:

Mikhail Kochnev

Stars:

Boris Andreyev, Shukur Burkhanov, Andrei Abrikosov

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Boris Andreyev	...	Ilja Muromets
Shukur Burkhanov	...	Tsar Kalin
Andrei Abrikosov	...	Prince Vladimir [Prince Vanda, US]
Natalya Medvedeva	...	Princess Apraksia (as N. Medvedeva)
Ninel Myshkova	...	Vasilisa [Vilya, US] (as Nelli Myshkova)
Sergey Martinson	...	Mishatychka (as Sergei Martinson)
Georgi Dyomin	...	Dobrynya Nikitich
Aleksandr Shvorin	...	Sokolnichek
Nikolai Gladkov	...	Plenchishye
Vladimir Solovyov	...	Kassyan (as V. Solovyov)
Mikhail Pugovkin	...	Razumets
Sergey Stolyarov	...	Aljoscha Popovich
Shamshi Tyumenbayev	...	(as Sh. Tyumenbayev)
Sadykbek Dzhamanov	...	Sartak (as S. Dzhamanov)
Vsevolod Tyagushev	...	Sbrodovich (as V. Tyagushev)

Storyline

Ilya is a cripple without the use of his legs. When he aids some weary travellers, they surprise him by giving him a potion that restores his legs. He immediately becomes powerful and sets off to prove himself to his King. Doing so, he fights the evil Tugars, a wind demon that looks like a cross between a goblin and The Noid, a zeppelin-like ambassador, and the evil Tugars. Ilya gets framed for a crime he didn't commit, then is freed, then finally dispatches the Tugars and their dragon.

---

Plot Keywords:

dragon | magical sword | russia | sword and sorcery | fire breathing dragon | 

---

Taglines:

Eye-Filling Spectacle! Man Against Monsters!

---

Genres:

Fantasy

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ilja Moromez is a legendary Russian hero, a man who is said to have started out life as a cripple before being healed by a witch and becoming a warrior.

---

Quotes

Prince Vladimir [Prince Vanda, US]: Thank you, Ilya Ivanovich, for your great knightly service. It was not in vain that you went to Kalin. Look!
Ilja Muromets: Fine lads!
Prince Vladimir [Prince Vanda, US]: The land of Rus has no want of heroes!
Ilja Muromets: This Kalin dog will be routed at Kiev.

---

Alternate Versions

A video release includes an American-made video (as opposed to film) prologue with an American family. The purpose of the prologue seems to have been to encourage younger viewers to read.

---

Connections

Featured in Cheezy Fantasy Trailers (2006)

User Reviews

Good Fun

I remember seeing this film on the "Million Dollar Movie" on channel 9 {in the New York area} in the early 60s and I also had the Dell comic book adaptation.As a child it was impressive and it still holds up today.Basically its the story of the legendary Ilya Murometz{the Russian Giant}and his attempt to rid his land of the invading Tugars-in reality Mongols-who had their name changed for this film.The film features beautiful color photography, some massive battle scenes set against an Eisenstein like darkening sky, decent special effects like the Wind Demon, the Pig Man , the three headed fire dragon and some musical numbers too,including a sexy belly dancer at the Tugar's camp-adolescent fantasy material! .There probably is a pro Soviet message, but due to the fall of the Soviet Union it is no longer relevant.The acting which has often been criticized is actually pretty good on its own level, its just the English dubbing that somewhat works against it.An early example of the medieval themed "sword and sorcery" genre that became briefly popular in the 80s with films like "Excalibur" and "Conan the Barbarian", this one is entertaining, well produced and has an overall sense of innocence and wonder about it that is hard to resist. It may not be perfect, but it does what it has to do very well. Give it a shot. You might enjoy it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official page on the Mosfilm site. Also links to a subbed YouTube video

Country:

Soviet Union

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

16 November 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sword and the Dragon

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mosfilm

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Color:

Color (Sovcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1