Sergey Bondarchuk

Sergei Bondarchuk (25 September 1920 — 20 October 1994) was a Soviet director, actor, and screenwriter. People's Artist of the USSR (1952). Academy Awards winner (War and Peace, 1969). BAFTA winner (Waterloo, 1971). His directorial debut was Fate of a Man, a WWII classic where he portrayed the main role. Bondarchuk is considered a master of big scale pieces with epic battle scenes that involved thousands of extras (War and Peace, Waterloo). He often starred star in his films, as well as cast his family, notably his wife, actor Irina Skobtseva (e.g. War and Peace, Vybor Tseli, Molchanie Doktora Ivensa). In late 1980s-early 1990s Bondarchuk started his long-term passion project – an adaptation of an epic novel “And Quiet Flows the Don,” together with the UK and Italy; however, the work couldn't be finished before the actor-director passed away in 1994. His son, actor-director Fyodor Bondarchuk, finished the piece in 2006.

Works

Quiet Flows the Don

With World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution, and the Russian Civil War as backdrop, it's an old-fashioned, blood-and-guts narrative, filled with earthly humor and a wealth of colorful characters. The story concerns the fluctuating fortunes of Grigory Melekhov, a young Cossack who is both a hero and a victim of the uprising.

Release Date2006-11-06

DepartmentCamera

JobDirector of Photography

Charactersd Krasnov tábornok

Episode Count7

Vote Count1

War and Peace

An epic adaptation of the novel by Leo Tolstoy. The love story of young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov is interwoven with the Great Patriotic War of 1812 against Napoleon's invading army.

Release Date1966-03-14

DepartmentWriting

JobScreenplay

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Episode Count4

Vote Count5

Овод

Release Date1980-11-03

Charactersd Cardinal Montanelli

Episode Count3

Vote Count1

Ernst Schneller

The movie begins by showing how Schneller takes up the profession of a teacher out of love for the children. When the First World War begins, he becomes a 'volunteer officer' and slowly the political situation begins to shape him. He develops into a revolutionary fighter.

Release Date1977-09-11

Charactersd General Alexander Simionov Sotow

Episode Count2

War and Peace

A seven-hour epic adaptation of the novel by Leo Tolstoy. The love story of young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov is interwoven with the Great Patriotic War of 1812 against Napoleon's invading army.

Release Date1968-04-28

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Vote Count142

They Fought for Their Motherland

In July 1942, in the Second World War, the rearguard of the Russian army protects the bridgehead of the Don River against the German army while the retreating Russian troops cross the bridge. While they move back to the Russian territory through the countryside, the soldiers show their companionship, sentiments, fears and heroism to defend their motherland.

Release Date1975-11-05

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd pvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev

Vote Count56

War and Peace, Part II: Natasha Rostova

In the end of 1809, Natasha attends her first ball. Andrei falls in love with her and intends to marry her, but her father demands they wait. The prince travels abroad, and Natasha desperately longs for him. But she then meets Anatol Kuragin and forgets of Andrei. At the last minute, she regrets and abandons her plans to elope with Anatol. Bolkonsky hears of this and declares their betrothal is over. Pierre, trying to calm her down, suddenly announces he loves her.

Release Date1966-07-20

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Vote Count58

The Battle of Neretva

In January 1943 the German army, afraid of an Allied invasion of the Balkans, launched a great offensive against Yugoslav Partisans in Western Bosnia. The only way out for Partisan forces and thousands of refugees was the bridge on the river Neretva.

Release Date1969-10-07

Charactersd Martin

Vote Count49

Quiet Flows The Don

Release Date2006-11-07

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd General Krasnov

Vote Count11

Boris Godunov

Praised for its fine photography and production design if not its narrative, Sergei Bondarchuk directed this adaptation of the tale by Alexander Pushkin. Boris Godunov came to the Czarist throne at the end of the 16th century, after the original heir to Ivan the Terrible had died. At first, things went well for Godunov (played by Bondarchuk), but when the Russian people began to believe he had killed Ivan the Terrible's son in order to gain the throne, an alliance sprang up against the new Czar. Events continued to spin out of control as a young monk was presented as the son Godunov had supposedly killed. Now he was openly accused of failing an assassination attempt, which seems to be even worse than succeeding. In addition to these woes, Boris Godunov began to suffer serious health problems. So much for the joys of kingship.

Release Date1986-05-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Boris Godunov

Vote Count17

War and Peace, Part I: Andrei Bolkonsky

The first film of a four-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 novel. In St. Petersburg of 1805, Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of a rich nobleman, is introduced to high society. His friend, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, joins the Imperial Russian Army as aide-de-camp of General Mikhail Kutuzov in the War of the Third Coalition against Napoleon.

Release Date1966-03-14

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Vote Count68

The Young Guard

In 1942, local teenagers are organizing the underground resistance in the city of Krasnodon during the Nazi occupation of Russia. The teens manage to outsmart the Nazis in their fight, and their activity lifts the spirits of the surviving citizens.

Release Date1948-10-11

Charactersd Comrade Valko

Vote Count14

War and Peace, Part IV: Pierre Bezukhov

As Moscow is set ablaze by the retreating Russians, the Rostovs flee their estate, taking wounded soldiers with them, and unbeknownst to them, also Andrei. Pierre, dressed as a peasant, tries to assassinate Napoleon but is taken prisoner. As the French are forced to retreat, he is marched for months with the Grande Armée, until being freed by a raiding party. The French are defeated by Kutuzov in the Battle of Krasnoi. Andrei is recognized and is brought to his estate. He forgives Natasha on his deathbed. She reunites with Pierre and they marry as Moscow is being rebuilt.

Release Date1967-11-04

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Vote Count47

Uncle Vanya

Serebryakov, a retired professor and his beautiful, much younger second wife, Yeléna, visit their country estate, which funds their urban lifestyle. Vanya, brother of the Professor's first wife, who manages the farm estate, and the local Doctor Astrov, both fall under Yelena's spell, while complaining of the endless ennui of their provincial existence. Astrov is an experienced physician who performs his job conscientiously, but has lost all idealism and spends much of his time drinking. Sofya, the Professor's daughter by his first wife, who works to keep the estate going with her uncle Vanya, meanwhile suffers from lack of esteem over what she sees as her own lack of beauty, and from an unrequited love for Dr. Astrov. Matters are brought to a head when the Professor announces his intention to sell the estate, Vanya and Sofya's home, to achieve a higher income for himself and his wife.

Release Date1970-10-01

Charactersd Dr. Mikhail Lvovich Astrov

Vote Count27

Othello

Othello, a celebrated Moorish general, secretly marries Desdemona, angering her noble father and inciting the envious Iago’s hatred. Sent to Cyprus, Othello’s victories are overshadowed by Iago’s manipulations: he frames Desdemona as unfaithful with Othello’s lieutenant Cassio. Consumed by jealousy, Othello murders his wife. Discovering Iago’s treachery too late, Othello kills himself as Cyprus learns the bitter truth.

Release Date1955-12-02

Charactersd Othello

Vote Count11

Father Sergius

A film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The main character of the film is Prince Stepan Kasatsky, an officer, an ardent, proud young man — a big fan of the tsar. Kasatsky is going to marry, but at the last moment he learns from the bride that she was the mistress of the emperor. The prince is deeply disappointed in social life, he takes a monastic vow and leaves the capital. Faith in God was to save the soul, but passions and worldly temptations don't leave Kasatsky.

Release Date1978-09-05

Charactersd Stepan Kasatsky / Father Sergius

Vote Count4

Fate of a Man

The story of a man whose life was ruthlessly crippled by World War II. His wife and daughters were killed during the bombing of his village, he spent some time as a prisoner, and his only son was killed in action only a few days before the victory...

Release Date1959-04-12

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Sokolov

Vote Count79

Escape by Night

In Nazi-occupied Rome, a beautiful bootlegger, to the chagrin of her lover, gives sanctuary to three escaped POWs: an American pilot, a Russian sergeant and a British major.

Release Date1960-10-07

Charactersd Fyodor Nazukov

Vote Count21

¡Qué Viva México!

Eisenstein shows us Mexico in this movie, its history and its culture. He believes, that Mexico can become a modern state.

Release Date1979-10-01

Charactersd Narrator (voice)

Vote Count52

War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812

In 1812, Napoleon's Army invades Russia. Kutuzov asks Bolkonsky to join him as a staff officer, yet the prince requests a command in the field. Pierre sets out to watch the upcoming confrontation between the armies. During the Battle of Borodino, he volunteers to assist in an artillery battery. Bolkonsky's unit waits in the reserve, but he is hit by a shell. Both Anatol and Bolkosnky suffer severe wounds. The French Army is victorious and advances on Moscow.

Release Date1967-07-21

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd Pierre Bezukhov

Vote Count52

Taras Shevchenko

Growing up in a Ukrainian peasant family, knowing all hardships of serf life, young artist and poet Taras Shevchenko in the years of study clearly identifies the meaning of true art, which is to serve the interests of the people. The poems of Shevchenko are imbued with love for the common people. Fiery freedom-loving creativity of Taras Shevchenko is known throughout Russia. Nicholas I exiles the poet to the distant Caspian fort where he is to serve as an ordinary soldier and is banned from writing or drawing. In the poet's difficult days he has the support of Ukrainian soldier Skobelev, Polish revolutionary Sierakowski, captain Kosarev and the commandant of the fortress, Uskov. For the sake of his release Chernyshevsky and Dobrolyubov are hard at work. And so, the sick and aged Shevchenko is finally free. Together with Chernyshevsky and Dobrolyubov, he dreams of a bright future of the motherland, when the Russian and Ukrainian peoples throw off the chains of slavery.

Release Date1951-12-17

Charactersd Taras Shevchenko

Vote Count9

Admiral Ushakov

Historical epic about the legendary Russian naval commander of the 18th century, admiral Fyodor Ushakov, and his fight for Crimea during the Russo-Turkish War.

Release Date1953-04-22

Charactersd Тихон Прокофьев

Vote Count12

Silence of Doctor Ivens

In the surreal aftermath to a plane crash at sea Dr. Iven an eminent scientist is the only survivor to be taken into the confidence of the alien rescuers. He learns that the world with its weapons of mass destruction is not ready for the wonders of the culture of the pacifist visitors. The situation is further complicated by the close relationship that blossoms between the doctor and the female alien, and due to this relationship he is the only survivor allowed to retain his memory of the events, unlike the other survivors including his wife, whose memories are erased.

Release Date1974-04-15

Charactersd Martin Evans

Vote Count8

Unfinished Story

The local doctor Yelizaveta Maksimovna is a beautiful woman and a wonderful sympathetic person. She is lonely, although she is cared for by a confident and promising colleague. Yelizaveta Maksimovna has one patient, a manly, full-energy ship builder Yershov, chained to the bed with a paralysis of both legs. All doctors recommend him rest, and Elizaveta Maksimovna advises to work and not feel sorry for herself. Yershov with all his heart falls in love with his doctor, and she loves him, but she does not dare to say her feelings. Ershov thinks that he has no hopes, but...

Release Date1955-10-17

Charactersd Yuri Yershov

Vote Count9

Attack from the Sea

The historical and biographic movie about the glorified Russian naval commander Ushakov. France begins aggressive wars. The Russian and allied troops freeing Italy are headed by A. V. Suvorov. The victory in the fortress of Corfu is ensured by operation of the admiral Ushakov.

Release Date1953-10-04

Charactersd Tikhon Prokofiev

Vote Count10

The Gadfly

The movie set in 1840s Italy under the dominance of Austria, a time of tumultuous revolt and uprisings. The story centers on the life of the protagonist, Arthur Burton, as a member of the Youth movement, and his antagonist, Padre Montanelli. A thread of a tragic relationship between Arthur and his love Gemma simultaneously runs through the story. It is a story of faith, disillusionment, revolution, romance, and heroism.

Release Date1980-11-11

Charactersd Кардинал Монтанелли

Vote Count7

Drums of Fire

In 1568, Saadi prince Abdelmalek is exiled from Morocco by his brothers, an event that is only the beginning of his adventures: fighting the Spanish Inquisition, taking part in the Battle of Lepanto, being incarcerated in Alicante prison, and assist in the Conquest of Tunis. Eventually, he returns to Morocco to fulfill his destiny.

Release Date1990-12-21

Charactersd Selim

Vote Count9

The Steppe

A boy in Russia, circa 1900, makes a daunting trip from his home village to a school in the city.

Release Date1978-04-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Charactersd

Vote Count9

Life in Bloom

About the life of the Russian biologist Ivan Michurin. 1912 year. Having rejected American offers to work abroad, Michurin continues his research in the Russian Empire, despite the fact that his ideas are not perceived by the tsarist government, the church and idealistic science. Michurin is supported by prominent scientists of the country and he continues to work hard. After the October Revolution, a small Michurin garden in the city of Kozlov (the biologist's homeland) becomes a large state nursery.

Release Date1949-01-01

Charactersd selectionist (uncredited)

Vote Count9

Velvet Season

In the fall of 1938, three former fighters of the international brigade — russian Shukhov, frenchman Henri and american Liz — fall into a resort town on the border of Spain and France. Having met a nurse who is supposed to send Spanish children to Corsica, they decide to help her. However, a fascist rebellion suddenly breaks out in the city, and the children are held hostage to criminals.

Release Date1978-12-08

Charactersd Richard Bradbury

The Peaks of Zelengore

During the Battle of Sutjeska, partisan troops must endure 24 hours of big and heavy attacks on German units Ljubino grave, to the main Partisan units, with the wounded and the Supreme Headquarters, pulled out the ring that is tightened around them.

Release Date1976-01-01

Charactersd Profesor

Vote Count4

Шли солдаты

Release Date1959-02-23

Charactersd Matvey Krylov - soldat

The Golden Gates

The film-remembrance of the creative fate of the Ukrainian Soviet film director Alexander Dovzhenko, shot on his diaries. It has his statements about his work, about the role of the artist in society, his plans and sources of inspiration, his artistic style and the peculiarities of his worldview. Used excerpts from his films and documentary footage taken during the director's life, as well as filmed fragments of the unfinished scripts " The Death of the Gods” and “Tsar”.

Release Date1971-03-01

Charactersd Narrator (Voice)

Vote Count3

Ivan Franko

Historical and biographical film about the life and work of Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko.

Release Date1956-01-01

Charactersd Ivan Franko

It Can Not Be Forgotten

The story unfolds in a post-war town in Western Ukraine. The enemy agents are trying to subvert communist writer Aleksandr Garmash using ideological diversions. In parallel, a story is told about student Rostislav Danchenko who is being recruited by enemy agents. The story is pertinent due to resurgence of ultra-nationalist underground activity in Western Ukraine after World War II.

Release Date1954-07-05

Charactersd Aleksandr Garmash

Dream of a Cossack

Soviet filmmaker Yuri Raisman once more combines political dogma with solid entertainment values in Dream of a Cossack (aka Cavalier of the Golden Star). The title character, played by future director Sergei Bondarchuk (and billed for obscure reasons as Semyon Bondarchuk), is an ex-soldier who returns home to the Kuban region, there to take up life as a farmer. Instead, he galvanizes the local citizenry into participating in a massive construction project, which will result in a new power station and canal. Thus does Raisman offer an prime example of Russian collectivism while making it seem as though it had sprung from individual initiative. Dream of a Cossack is based on a popular novel by S. Babayefsky.

Release Date1951-07-09

Charactersd Semyon Tutarinov

Vote Count7

Bondarchuk. Battle

The new film about Sergei Bondarchuk is not a traditional description of the life of a famous director and not a biopic timed to coincide with a round date. The creators of the film focus on a unique period in the history of world cinema - the post-war "thaw" euphoria and the time of great hopes, the key character of which was the author of "War and Peace". What was this man and cinematographer who shot both chamber dramas and megalomaniac battle projects? And how did he, the winner of many USSR awards, manage to become a figure of world significance and a link between the two superpowers during the Cold War era?

Release Date2021-09-30

Charactersd self (archive)

The Grasshopper

Osip Dymov, the titular counselor and the doctor of thirty one years, serves in two hospitals at the same time: intern and anatomist. From nine o'clock in the morning and in the forenoon accepts patients, then goes to open corpses. But its income is hardly enough for a covering of expenses of the wife mad about talents and celebrities in the art and artistic environment whom it daily accepts in the house.

Release Date1955-04-01

Charactersd Dr. Osip Dymov

Vote Count8

Take-Off

A biographical film about the life of the great Russian scientist, inventor of rocket technology and the founder of theoretical astronautics — Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the hard spiritual work of the thinker, overcoming the stagnation of the surrounding and dramatic events of his family life.

Release Date1979-08-14

Charactersd Narrator (voice)

Woina i Mir

A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of "War and Peace," from conceptual sketches and costume design to cameras rolling.

Release Date1966-05-15

Charactersd Self

Making 'War and Peace'

Produced in 1969 by Mosfilm, this documentary details the filming and editing of "War and Peace."

Release Date1969-01-01

Charactersd Self

Waterloo

After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, the Duke of Wellington, beat Napolean's best generals in Spain and Portugal, but now must beat Napoleon himself with an Anglo Allied army.

Release Date1970-10-26

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count209

Red Bells Part II: I Saw the Birth of a New World

The second part of Soviet filmmaker Sergei Bondarchuk's epic biography of John Reed. It is October 1917 and the American journalist has found himself and his wife, Louise Bryant, in Petrograd on the eve of the Bolshevik revolution.

Release Date1982-10-18

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count14

The Battle of Sutjeska

The headquarters of the Marshal Tito's Liberation Army are surrounded by Axis forces. The Partisans have no choice but to fight their way out of the encirclement and face the enemy on the plains of Sutjeska.

Release Date1973-07-03

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Vote Count22

Red Bells Part I: Mexico on Fire

A chronicle of the Russian and Mexican revolutions in the early 20th century.

Release Date1982-10-01

DepartmentDirecting

JobDirector

Vote Count13

A Summer to Remember

Based on the Vera Panova book about a complicated relationship between an 8-year-old boy and his new stepfather.

Release Date1960-08-12

Vote Count19

VGIK: Teachers and Students Talk About the Profession

The story of VGIK teachers and students about the acting profession.

Release Date1979-03-22

Stars Meet in Moscow

Documentary essay about the First Moscow International Film Festival, held in August 1959, about its participants and guests - Soviet and foreign actors, directors who came to the film forum.

Release Date1959-08-30

Thunder Over Rus'

Two-part adaptation of A. K. Tolstoy's novel "Prince Serebriany a tale of unrest and intrigue under the rule of Ivan the Terrible.

Release Date1992-02-03

Profession: Film Actor

Vyacheslav Tikhonov's roles are discussed by his colleagues.

Release Date1980-02-01

Vote Count2

One Day of Mosfilm

Release Date1985-01-30

Old Times in Poshekhonye

The film consists of three short stories: 'The Unhappy Matryonka', 'Brother Fedos' and 'Vanka-Cain'.

Release Date1977-01-01

Story of a Real Man

Alexey Meresyev was a fighter pilot during the war. One day he was shot down by Nazis, and because of his wounds both of his legs had to be cut off up to his knees. Because of his spirit and courage, Alexey was able to overcome his disability. He learned not only to walk on his artificial limps, but even dance and fly the plane again. Based on a real-life story.

Release Date1948-10-21

Vote Count10

Interviews with Filmmakers: Sergey Bondarchuk

A short documentary on the director, presumably made for Russian TV, that mixes interview with footage of the director at home and at work, extracts from the film and archive footage from screenings.

Release Date1983-01-04