Taras Bulba (1962)

"I will kiss the devil before my son wears a Polish collar!" declares Cossack warrior Taras Bulba, thus laying down the fundamental conflict of this epic film, based on the classic book by Russian novelist Nikolai Gogol. After the Polish army and the Cossacks defeat the Turks, the Poles betray their fierce collaborators in order to claim the Cossacks' ancestral home, the Steppes. Scattered, the Cossacks bide their time, and Bulba (Yul Brynner) sends his son Andrei (Tony Curtis) to a Polish college to learn the secrets of their culture. Though Andrei faces cruelty and prejudice, he falls in love with a Polish noblewoman, Natalia (Christine Kaufmann, a lovely German actress in one of her few English-language roles). Andrei, torn by love and loyalty to his people, risks everything in a desperate attempt to win Christine, even if it pits him against his own father. Taras Bulba is far from a great film--there are some laughable special effects, the battle scenes are confused and sluggish, and Curtis never quite loses his Bronx accent. Despite that, Curtis' star power comes through, and Yul Brynner tears up the screen with his amazing physical presence and emotional intensity; the man was truly a unique and compelling actor, who found only a few roles that suited him--this was one. By the end, Gogol's muscular plot catches you in its grip. The hypnotically gripping final scenes overcome all the cheesiness that came before. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

 "TARAS BULBA"
No doubt "Taras Bulba" starring Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis was a great action and historical film. Also no doubt that the fight between the Polish Imperial Crown vs. the Cossacks was a commendable and patriotic cause for the mostly Ukranian Cossacks when Kiev, Ukraine was a Polish city. However this story creates a perception of an abusive giant vs. the small Cossacks representing the underdog. Although part of this maybe true, the fight between the vastly smaller Poland vs. the Ukraine and Russia of gigantic proportions not to mention its superior numbers in population, armies, both Cossack and non-Cossack is as realistic as a fight between a midget and colossal giant. And there is no way "the midget", no matter how "imperial" he may be is going to win the fight at the long run simply due to the fact that the smaller in territory and population, Poland vs. Russia the former will always be vastly outnumbered by the latter. Whenever the latter was the loser and it did happened a few times in history, is because they did not want to pursue that particular war any further and let it go as it was for the time being. Just do the math. Other than that its an excellent action film, very well acted with excellent color and impressive scenery and plot.
April 16, 2008

 Great DVD release
This was one of my favorite movies when I was eight years old. The theme of a son rebelling against his father was compelling to me even at that tender age. I thought Tony Curtis was very cool, and Christine Kaufmann was gorgeous.

As an adult, this film is more than a bit silly in places (particularly the strangely inappropriate musical interludes) and Tony Curtis is hardly convincing as a Cossack, but while the dialogue is often corny and the acting largely sub-par, it succeeds as spectacle, especially in the Ride to Dubno. The theme of Nikolai Gogol's story is still a strong one, although this is hardly a straightforward adaptation of the book. (Gogol's story begins with Andrei's return from Kiev, about 45 minutes into the movie. Also in the book, Andrei and Natalia never meet in person. He falls in love with her when he sees her on the battlements.)

The DVD is a superb anamorphic widescreen transfer with bold, vivid colors and a crisp, sharp picture. Fans of this film will be very pleased that a quality transfer has been made available at last. March 31, 2008

 Anamorphic or Enhanced for Widescreen Televisions
I cannot tell from the format information as to whether Taras Bulba which was released today is anamorphic or enhanced for widescreen. If it is not then I would recommend not buying it. If anyone has checked this out, please post a review indicating whether it is anamorphic. Thanks. March 25, 2008

 Gripping and Emotional Forgotten Epic
Yul Brynner with his gypsy background and larger than life screen presence is the quintessential TARAS BULBA. Brynner plays the title character with great bravado accentuating his charisma with his unique and appealing mannerisms. Set in the sixteenth century, TARAS BULBA is an enticing, emotional and enjoyable action historical epic focusing on battles between Polish cavalry and Russian Cossack's for the control of the Ukraine. Composer Franz Waxman's score is both rousing and romantically haunting and along with Brynner's performance is truly the centerpiece of this intriguing film. Waxman's score beautifully captures the magnificence of the Cossacks as they ride with gathering momentum across the screen and equally captures the obsessive nature of the love affair between Tony Curtis and Christine Kaufmann. Tony Curtis, no stranger to this genre, gives a very credible performance as Taras Bulba's son torn between love and duty. Director J. Lee Thompson's flair for impressionistic storytelling is quite evident. There are many indelible images that the viewer can take away from this film. Norma Koch's costumes, Edward Carrere's art designs, Joseph MacDonald's cinematography and Franz Waxman's brilliant score again all contribute to the enduring nature of this underrated film. February 17, 2008

 Rousing, Moving, Brynner/Curtis Epic
Finally, the much-loved version of Gogol's Taras Bulba has come to DVD. This grand, large-scale production manages to entertain with great action sequences while moving the viewer by telling the story of founded in love.

Taras Bulba, played by Brynner, is a great Cossack leader who fights with the Polish who continue to take more and more Cossack territory. His young son, Andrei, played by Curtis, is the only thing he loves as much as he does his people and his country. But when Curtis falls in love with a Polish girl, and sides with the Polish, he sets the stage for conflict and tragedy.

Bulba loves his son, his people, his way of life, and his country. Andrei loves his father, but also loves the Polish girl. In the midst of a great adventure story, Taras Bulba manages to be a story about love, and the great sacrfices and challenges love causes us to make.

This is a great movie, and very much deserving of a high-quality DVD release. December 25, 2007

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