Taras Bulba (1962)

72% of users liked it
(891 ratings)

The spectacular hordes of Cossack horsemen flying across the steppes to do battle with first one enemy and then another are the highlights of this otherwise thinly scripted costume drama set in the 16th century in the Ukraine. After the Cossack leader Taras Bulba (Yul Brynner) makes a pact with the… More The spectacular hordes of Cossack horsemen flying across the steppes to do battle with first one enemy and then another are the highlights of this otherwise thinly scripted costume drama set in the 16th century in the Ukraine. After the Cossack leader Taras Bulba (Yul Brynner) makes a pact with the Poles to join forces against the Turks and drive them from the European steppes, victory brings betrayal as the Poles then turn on their ally and force the Cossacks into the hills. From there, Taras Bulba decides that one of his sons, Andrei (Tony Curtis), will be sent to Polish schools to better learn the nature of their enemy. While away from home and hearth, the adult Andrei falls in love with a Polish noblewoman, Natalia (Christine Kaufmann, who would become the second Mrs. Curtis). As time progresses, the tensions between father and son, loyalty and love, ethnic identity and assimilation steadily increase until they end in tragedy. Taras Bulba was nominated for a 1963 Academy Award for "Best Music", scored by Franz Waxman. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: J. Lee Thompson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1962 Wide
On DVD: May 1, 2007
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It seems to be in genre form when showing hordes of Cossack horsemen flying across the steppes to do battle.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Chris W

Taras Bulba may deviate from the source material, and it may be Romeo and Juliet-esque, but it's more of an adventure movie than a romance. Yeah, there is romance, but guys can watch this and not feel emasculated. Yul Brynner is awesome and chews up the scenery good as the lead… More
Taras Bulba may deviate from the source material, and it may be Romeo and Juliet-esque, but it's more of an adventure movie than a romance. Yeah, there is romance, but guys can watch this and not feel emasculated. Yul Brynner is awesome and chews up the scenery good as the lead character- a proud and die-hard Cossack who gets into it with his oldest son (a slightly out of place Tony Curtis) when he falls in love with a Polish woman- an enemy of the Cossack's. The direction is pretty sharp and never slow, and the music is just terrific- it's an epic without an excessive running time. The costumes are cool, and the battle scenes (for the time AND in general) arepretty cool and well done. The films is a little flawed, but still worth checking out.