Sergei Bondarchuk

Directing

Sergei Bondarchuk

Born September 25, 1920 · Belozerka, Kherson Governorate, Ukrainian SSR

Died October 20, 1994 · aged 74

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 th…

Known For

War and PeaceWar and Peace · 1968
War and Peace
★ 7.61968
MovieHistoryDrama
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.
WaterlooWaterloo · 1970
Waterloo
★ 7.11970
MovieHistoryDrama
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.
War and Peace, Part I: Andrei BolkonskyWar and Peace, Part I: Andrei Bolkonsky · 1966
War and Peace, Part I: Andrei Bolkonsky
★ 7.61966
MovieHistoryRomance
In 1805 St. Petersburg, Pierre Bezukhov, 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 General Napoleon Bonaparte. Part one of the four-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel.
Red Bells Part I: Mexico in FlamesRed Bells Part I: Mexico in Flames · 1982
Red Bells Part I: Mexico in Flames
★ 4.21982
MovieDramaWestern
American journalist John Reed travels to Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and interviews Francisco Villa. At the same time, we learn about his relationship with his lover Mabel Dodge, his participation in the Patterson strike, and his work as a reporter during World War I.
The Battle of NeretvaThe Battle of Neretva · 1969
The Battle of Neretva
★ 6.71969
MovieDramaWar
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.
Admiral UshakovAdmiral Ushakov · 1953
Admiral Ushakov
★ 6.11953
MovieHistory
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.
War and Peace, Part II: Natasha RostovaWar and Peace, Part II: Natasha Rostova · 1966
War and Peace, Part II: Natasha Rostova
★ 7.21966
MovieHistoryRomance
As 1809 nears its end, Natasha attends her first ball, where Andrei falls in love with her with the intent of marriage. However, as her father demands they wait, the prince travels abroad, leaving Natasha in desperate longing. But she meets Anatol Kuragin and forgets Andrei. Part two of the four-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel.
War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812 · 1967
War and Peace, Part III: The Year 1812
★ 7.61967
MovieHistoryRomance
In 1812, as 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 armies' impending confrontation. As the Battle of Borodino rages, he volunteers to assist in an artillery battery. Part three of the four-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel.

Filmography

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¡Qué Viva México!¡Qué Viva México! · 1979
¡Qué Viva México!
★ 6.81979
MovieDocumentaryDrama
Having revolutionized film editing through such masterworks of montage as Potemkin and Strike, Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein emigrated West in hopes of testing the capabilities of the American film industry. Quickly ostracized from Hollywood, Eisenstein, Grigory Alexandrov, and photographer Eduard Tisse (at the urging of author Upton Sinclair) wandered south of the border, where they began filming a highly stylized documentary about the people and volatile social climate of Mexico. Unfortunately, a lack of funds prohibited the film's completion, and the famed director was unable to edit the film. In 1979, by referring to Eisenstein's extensive notes and sketches, Alexandrov assembled the most definitive version of the film; as close to Eisenstein's vision as one is ever likely to see.

Narrator (voice)

Boris GodunovBoris Godunov · 1986
Boris Godunov
★ 5.81986
MovieHistoryDrama
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.

Director