Iron & Blood: The Legend of Taras Bulba
Short description
Set in the 16th century, this historical drama depicts the conflict between Ukrainian Cossack warriors and Polish forces. The story follows Taras Bulba, a leader of the rebels fighting for his homeland. While directing the campaign against the Polish army, Taras faces a personal crisis when his son, Andriy, falls in love with a Polish noblewoman and betrays his people to join the enemy. This clash between family loyalty and national duty leads to a violent confrontation between father and son.
The film was directed and written by Vladimir Bortko, appearing as the second entry in a chronological list of his works that includes Heart of a Dog and About Love. The cast features Bohdan Stupka as Taras Bulba, with Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Igor Petrenko, and Magdalena Mielcarz in supporting roles, and Sergei Bezrukov providing the narration.
Produced in Russia by Central Partnership and ARK-Film, the movie had a budget of 16 million USD and earned 19 million USD at the worldwide box office. Audience reception was mixed, with the film receiving a rating of 5.7/10 on IMDb based on 3,700 votes and a 5.1/10 on TMDB from 77 votes.
What's left behind the scenes
- Scenes of the storming of the Polish fortress were filmed in the old castle of Kamianets-Podilskyi.
- Hollywood producer Nick Powell, who worked on "Braveheart," served as a consultant on the film.
- Filming took place in Russia (at the Lenfilm studio), in Ukraine (Khortytsia Island in Zaporizhzhia, Bakhchysarai, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Kyiv, Khotyn, etc.), and in Poland (Warsaw); it began in February 2007 and lasted nine months. The five battle scenes in the film were mainly shot in Kamianets-Podilskyi and Khotyn.
- Since the castle in the town of Dubno was heavily rebuilt in the 18th century and lost its "medieval appearance," the famous Khotyn Castle of the 15th century was used instead.
- The film is based on the story "Taras Bulba" by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, which is part of the "Mirgorod" cycle. The story was published as part of "Mirgorod" in 1835, and its second, supplemented and revised edition by Gogol was released in 1842, and is published in all modern editions.
- Some scenes of the film involved over 1000 extras, 150 horses, and approximately 100 stunt performers.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
