Sergey Bondarchuk

Sergey Bondarchuk

Born: September 25, 1920
Died: October 20, 1994
in Belozerka, Kherson Governorate, Ukrainian SSR
Sergey 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.

Movies for Sergey Bondarchuk...

Bondarchuk. Battle
Title: Bondarchuk. Battle
Character: self (archive)
Released: September 30, 2021
Type: Movie
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?
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Quiet Flows The Don
Title: Quiet Flows The Don
Character: General Krasnov
Released: November 7, 2006
Type: Movie
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.
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Title: Quiet Flows the Don
Character: Krasnov tábornok
Released: November 6, 2006
Type: TV
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.
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Thunder Over Rus'
Title: Thunder Over Rus'
Released: February 3, 1992
Type: Movie
Two-part adaptation of A. K. Tolstoy's novel "Prince Serebriany a tale of unrest and intrigue under the rule of Ivan the Terrible.
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Drums of Fire
Title: Drums of Fire
Character: Selim
Released: December 21, 1990
Type: Movie
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Boris Godunov
Title: Boris Godunov
Character: Boris Godunov
Released: May 1, 1986
Type: Movie
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.
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One Day of Mosfilm
Title: One Day of Mosfilm
Released: January 30, 1985
Type: Movie
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Interviews with Filmmakers: Sergey Bondarchuk
Title: Interviews with Filmmakers: Sergey Bondarchuk
Released: January 4, 1983
Type: Movie
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.
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The Gadfly
Title: The Gadfly
Character: Кардинал Монтанелли
Released: November 11, 1980
Type: Movie
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.
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Title: Овод
Character: Cardinal Montanelli
Released: November 3, 1980
Type: TV
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Profession: Film Actor
Title: Profession: Film Actor
Released: February 1, 1980
Type: Movie
Vyacheslav Tikhonov's roles are discussed by his colleagues.
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Que Viva Mexico!
Title: Que Viva Mexico!
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: October 1, 1979
Type: Movie
Eisenstein shows us Mexico in this movie, its history and its culture. He believes, that Mexico can become a modern state.
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Take-Off
Title: Take-Off
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: August 14, 1979
Type: Movie
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.
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Velvet Season
Title: Velvet Season
Character: Richard Bradbury
Released: December 8, 1978
Type: Movie
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.
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Father Sergius
Title: Father Sergius
Character: Stepan Kasatsky / Father Sergius
Released: September 5, 1978
Type: Movie
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.
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The Steppe
Title: The Steppe
Released: April 1, 1978
Type: Movie
A boy in Russia, circa 1900, makes a daunting trip from his home village to a school in the city.
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Title: Ernst Schneller
Character: General Alexander Simionov Sotow
Released: September 11, 1977
Type: TV
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Пошехонская старина
Title: Пошехонская старина
Released: January 1, 1977
Type: Movie
The film consists of three short stories: 'The Unhappy Matryonka', 'Brother Fedos' and 'Vanka-Cain'.
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The Peaks of Zelengore
Title: The Peaks of Zelengore
Character: Profesor
Released: January 1, 1976
Type: Movie
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.
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They Fought for Their Motherland
Title: They Fought for Their Motherland
Character: pvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev
Released: November 5, 1975
Type: Movie
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.
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Choice of Purpose
Title: Choice of Purpose
Character: Kurchatov
Released: January 1, 1975
Type: Movie
A story of the creation of the atomic bomb in America, Germany and the USSR.
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Silence of Doctor Ivens
Title: Silence of Doctor Ivens
Character: Martin Evans
Released: April 15, 1974
Type: Movie
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.
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The Golden Gates
Title: The Golden Gates
Character: Narrator (Voice)
Released: March 1, 1971
Type: Movie
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”.
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Uncle Vanya
Title: Uncle Vanya
Character: Dr. Mikhail Lvovich Astrov
Released: October 1, 1970
Type: Movie
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.
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The Battle of Neretva
Title: The Battle of Neretva
Character: Martin
Released: October 7, 1969
Type: Movie
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.
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Making 'War and Peace'
Title: Making 'War and Peace'
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1969
Type: Movie
Produced in 1969 by Mosfilm, this documentary details the filming and editing of "War and Peace."
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War and Peace
Title: War and Peace
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: April 28, 1968
Type: Movie
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.
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War and Peace, Part IV: Pierre Bezukhov
Title: War and Peace, Part IV: Pierre Bezukhov
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: November 4, 1967
Type: Movie
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.
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War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812
Title: War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: July 21, 1967
Type: Movie
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.
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War and Peace, Part II: Natasha Rostova
Title: War and Peace, Part II: Natasha Rostova
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: July 20, 1966
Type: Movie
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.
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Woina i Mir
Title: Woina i Mir
Character: Self
Released: May 15, 1966
Type: Movie
A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of "War and Peace," from conceptual sketches and costume design to cameras rolling.
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Title: War and Peace
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: March 14, 1966
Type: TV
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.
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War and Peace, Part I: Andrei Bolkonsky
Title: War and Peace, Part I: Andrei Bolkonsky
Character: Pierre Bezukhov
Released: March 14, 1966
Type: Movie
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.
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Escape by Night
Title: Escape by Night
Character: Fyodor Nazukov
Released: October 7, 1960
Type: Movie
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.
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A Summer to Remember
Title: A Summer to Remember
Released: August 12, 1960
Type: Movie
Based on the Vera Panova book about a complicated relationship between an 8-year-old boy and his new stepfather.
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Fate of a Man
Title: Fate of a Man
Character: Andrei Sokolov
Released: August 1, 1959
Type: Movie
The story of a man (Andrey Sokolov) 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...
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Шли солдаты
Title: Шли солдаты
Character: Matvey Krylov - soldat
Released: February 23, 1959
Type: Movie
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Ivan Franko
Title: Ivan Franko
Character: Ivan Franko
Released: January 1, 1956
Type: Movie
Historical and biographical film about the life and work of Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko.
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Othello
Title: Othello
Character: Othello
Released: December 2, 1955
Type: Movie
Soviet film of the Shakespeare play.
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Unfinished Story
Title: Unfinished Story
Character: Yuri Yershov
Released: October 17, 1955
Type: Movie
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...
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The Grasshopper
Title: The Grasshopper
Character: Dr. Osip Dymov
Released: April 1, 1955
Type: Movie
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.
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It Can Not Be Forgotten
Title: It Can Not Be Forgotten
Character: Aleksandr Garmash
Released: July 5, 1954
Type: Movie
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.
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Attack from the Sea
Title: Attack from the Sea
Character: Tikhon Prokofiev
Released: October 4, 1953
Type: Movie
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.
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Admiral Ushakov
Title: Admiral Ushakov
Character: Тихон Прокофьев
Released: April 22, 1953
Type: Movie
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.
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Taras Shevchenko
Title: Taras Shevchenko
Character: Taras Shevchenko
Released: December 17, 1951
Type: Movie
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.
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Dream of a Cossack
Title: Dream of a Cossack
Character: Semyon Tutarinov
Released: July 9, 1951
Type: Movie
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.
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Life in Bloom
Title: Life in Bloom
Character: selectionist (uncredited)
Released: January 1, 1949
Type: Movie
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.
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Story of a Real Man
Title: Story of a Real Man
Released: October 21, 1948
Type: Movie
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.
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The Young Guard
Title: The Young Guard
Character: Comrade Valko
Released: October 11, 1948
Type: Movie
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.