TARAS BULBA

US, 1962, 122 minutes, Colour.
Tony Curtis, Yul Brynner, Christine Kauffman, Sam Wanamaker.
Directed by J. Lee Thompson.

Taras Bulba is costume adventure for undiscriminating audiences. However, it is colourful, shows something of Cossack life and the impact of the Cossacks in the 16th century. Tony Curtis performs acrobatics in battles. Yul Brynner acts as the Cossack patriarch. Dialogue is somewhat stilted and gives the film no pretensions to being more than enjoyable action for younger audiences.

1. Was this film enjoyable as an adventure, glimpse of history, epic and costume drama?

2. The atmosphere of the credits with the background of painting and classical music? The use of Panavision and colour? The Argentinian locations for central Europe? The music, the atmosphere of the battles.. the pageantry? Audience response?

3. How well did the film communicate the historical setting? The 15th century clash of east and west? The Poles defending Europe? The reliance on the Cossacks? The threat of the east, power on the Steppes of Russia?

4. The picture of Polish arrogance and betrayal? Prince Grigory losing his hand after the treacherous speech? The snobbery of the Poles with the Cossacks in the town? The hostility and battles? How convincing were the villains?

5. The contrast with Cossack pride? Owning the Steppes, feeling at home. wanting a homeland? The emergence of Taras Bulba as leader? Yul Brynner's style? The sequences of rough life, home life, propensity for fighting. drinking. singing and enjoying life? The civilization of the Cossacks?

6. The contrast with the city? Education? Learning and the Polish civilization?

7. Taras Bulba's pride in his sons? Tracing the growth of them all, especially Andrei following in the footsteps of his father? The sequences of their mutual fighting? Taras Bulba wanting them to be educated?

8. The picture of education? The cruelty and discipline of the Poles? How much did they learn?

9. The interludes of love and romance? Was this well done, realistic? Comment on the daughter of the Governor.

10. The inherent danger - how did this come to a head? Audience interest and suspense?

11. The siege of the city and the hardship. the plague? The Cossacks divided amongst themselves?


12. The dramatic importance of Andrei's betrayal. his torture? The threat of death to Natalia? Andrei's own death and its significance? Why did Taras kill his son? what did it mean to him?

13. The theme of the unified Cossacks and the unification with the Poles? As a basis for European nationalism?

14. How serious was the film meant to be? How much a comic-book adventure?