Ruslan and Ludmilla

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Ruslan and Ludmilla

1972

2h 29m

Fantasy

Adventure

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3 Reviews

70%

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250+ Ratings

Based on a fantastical poem by Alexander Pushkin, this film tracks the adventures of the noble warrior Ruslan (Valeriy Kozinets) as he attempts to rescue his lovely bride, Lyudmila (Natal'ya Petrova), the daughter of Prince Vladimir (Andrei Abrikosov), from the clutches of the sinister sorcerer, Chernomor (Vladimir Fyodorov). In addition to battling other suitors eager to win Lyudmila's hand, Ruslan faces off against various enchanted beings on his way to freeing his true love.

Budd Wilkins

Slant Magazine

Aleksandr Ptushko’s final film, Ruslan and Ludmila, is a gorgeously rendered fable about the salvific power of love, fidelity, and patriotism.

Jul 4, 2024

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Soham Gadre

Film Inquiry

A worthy swansong that delivers on the master filmmaker's exquisite ability to create dazzling fantasy sets, dramedy theatrics between characters, and rousing war battles.

Apr 7, 2025

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

Luxurious, dreamy unrealism that will remain with you for hours, even days, after you leave the theater.

Aug 15, 2011

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Audience Member

Hailed as Walt Disney of the Soviet Union, this epic fantasy is Ptushko's swan song (he passed away in 1973) and unequivocally his most ambitious work. Based on Pushkin's poem, RUSLAN AND LUDMILA runs 150 minutes, which allows Ptushko to mould an extensively lavish set to minutely fabricate the fairy tale, in a children-friendly fashion. Ruslan (Kozinets), a valiant knight, is going to marry Ludmila (Petrova), the prepossessing daughter of Prince Vladimir of Kiev (Abribosov), but in their wedding night, Ludmila is abducted by an evil dwarf wizard, Chernomor (Fyodorov) who is in alliance with a vengeful witch Naina (Kapnist), so Ruslan is on his way to rescue her, together with three other rivals who are also yearning for Ludmila, they are Rogdai (Mokshantsev), a sully-looking warrior, Ratmir (Akhmetov), a young Khazar Khan and Farlaf (Nevinnyy), a portly gourmand. keep reading my review on my blog: http://wp.me/p1eXom-20y

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

I am never going to get tired watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Strange old Russian fantasy-- reminds me of a Sinbad film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Beautiful colors and awesome fantasy, but still not flawless.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

I wish so bad I had a dwarf in a bag.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

Possibly the greatest fantasy movie I have ever seen. A magical dwarf, a jolly fat man, a beautiful princess, and evil demons. Enjoyable for anyone who like adventure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Aleksandr Ptushko

Director

Natal'ya Petrova

Lyudmila

Valeriy Kozinets

Ruslan

Vladimir Fyodorov

Chernomor the Wizard

Mariya Kapnist

Naina the Witch

Andrei Abrikosov

Vladimir

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Synopsis

Based on a fantastical poem by Alexander Pushkin, this film tracks the adventures of the noble warrior Ruslan (Valeriy Kozinets) as he attempts to rescue his lovely bride, Lyudmila (Natal'ya Petrova), the daughter of Prince Vladimir (Andrei Abrikosov), from the clutches of the sinister sorcerer, Chernomor (Vladimir Fyodorov). In addition to battling other suitors eager to win Lyudmila's hand, Ruslan faces off against various enchanted beings on his way to freeing his true love.

Director: Aleksandr Ptushko
Producer: Arkady Ashkinazi
Screenwriter: Aleksandr Ptushko, Aleksandr Pushkin
Production Co: Mosfilm
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: Russian
Runtime: 2h 29m
Sound Mix: Mono