Stenka Razin (1908)

The first Russian narrative film.

Director:

Vladimir Romashkov

Writer:

Vasili Goncharov (play)

Star:

Yevgeny Petrov-Krayevsky

Cast

Credited cast:
Yevgeny Petrov-Krayevsky	...	Stepan 'Stenka' Razin

Storyline

Stenka Razin is the leader of a group of outlaws who live a life of revelry and carousing along the Volga River and in the nearby forests. When Razin becomes distracted by a captured foreign princess and starts to dote on her, his men are displeased, feeling that he is neglecting them and their usual activities. Soon they come up with a plot, in the hopes of turning Razin against the princess.

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Genres:

Short | History

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Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Spisok korabley (2008)

User Reviews

Never neglect your mates...

Even though this very, very old Russian film has quite a lot of intertitles for the time, the plot (such as it is) is still pretty difficult to follow if you're unfamiliar with the story, so it's worth familiarising yourself with the tale before watching the film. Much of the film comprises of thirty or so cossack types waving their arms about on a boat on the Volga or in a forest clearing to demonstrate firstly what a grand time they're having, and then how unhappy they are. It seems they are rebels whose leader has gone all soppy over some princess, so they hatch a diabolical plan to win back his leadership. It's all a little confusing, but it is redeemed somewhat by quite a bold and unexpected conclusion.

Details

Country:

Russia

Language:

None Russian

Release Date:

15 October 1908 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Brigands from the Lower Reaches

Company Credits

Production Co:

A. Drankov's Atelier

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White