Boris Godunov

Release Date: 1954-01-21

Overview: Russian filmmaker Vera Stroyeva specialized in cinematic adaptations of famous operas. One of the most successful of these was her 1955 film version of Mussorgsky and Pushkin's Boris Godunov. Stroyeva's adaptation deftly streamlines the story of a Russian czar whose life is placed in jeopardy by a pretender to his throne. A. Pirogov sings the title role, while G. Nellep provides vocal and visual menace as the "False Dmitri". The use of a color process known as Magicolor adds just the right touch of theatrical artificiality to the pomp-and-splendor proceedings.

Rating: 2.2 / 10

Cast

Aleksandr Pirogov

as Boris Godunov

Nikandr Khanayev

as Vasili Shuysky

Georgi Nelepp

as Grigori

Maxim Mikhaylov

as Pimen

Ivan Kozlovsky

as The Fool