DIRECTION: Vladimir Bortko
SCRIPT: Vadimir Bortko, Igor Matiushin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dmitri Mass, Arunas Baraznauskas
ART DIRECTION: Sergey Yakutovich, Vladimir Svetozarov, Marina Nikolaeva
MUSIC: Igor Kornelyuk
PRODUCED: Ark Film for RTR, Central Partnership
PRODUCERS: Anton Zlatopolsky, Sergey Shumakov, Ruben Dishdishian

Bogdan Stupka (Taras Bulba), Igor Petrenko (Andriy), Vladimir Vdovichenkov (Ostap), Magdalena Mielcarz (Elżbieta), Boris Khmelnitsky (Otoman Borodaty)

Nikolai Gogol's short story about the 17th century Cossack nationalist is given the screen treatment once again in Vladimir Bortko's version of Taras Bulba. A Russian super production was commissioned by the Duma and supposedly by the Russian leader Vladimir Putin himself. Polish helmer Jerzy Hoffman also worked on the story before giving up due to some production problems with the Ukrainian partners. Maintaining the spirit of "romantic nationalism", Bortko's film epically portrays Taras' rise from simple field worker to famous revolutionary. Taras is the embodiment of integrity and doesn't even allow his love for his family to keep him from fighting for his nation (by the way, the director identifies the Ukrainians with Russians, a Soviet style thesis). A Russian Braveheart or With Fire and Sword of sorts featuring impressive battle scenes, Taras Bulba effectively recreates the period with its attention to costumes and styles of the times. A war film with a rich historical setting, Bortko tells Taras' story with impressive visuals and a commanding sense of pride and importance; however, historical truth is not the Ukrainian director's strongest part. Phenomenal acting from the best Ukrainian actor of his time Bohdan Stupka is in itself enough reason to see the film.

VLADIMIR BORTKO