The Peasants' Lot

Eugene Onegin

Vanka the Steward

A silent feature short film by Vasily Goncharov based on a folk song of the same name. It was filmed with actors from the Vvedensky Folk House troupe. The movie is preserved without inscriptions.

The Enchantress

Conquest Of The Caucasus

The big military history film was made at the same time as Drankov's film, which caused some conflict.

The Song of the Merchant Kalashnikov

Accession of the Romanov Dynasty

A significant part of the 1912 production "A Life for the Tsar" was used in this film.

The Dashing Merchant

An adaptation of Ivan Nikitin's poem 'Ukhar-kupets' for Pathé.

Mermaid

"Rusalka" or "Mermaid" based on Pushkin, an opera by Dargomizhsky, and other sources: A prince and a miller's daughter have been involved in a romance together, but now the prince tells her that he must break it off. After the prince leaves, the distraught young woman attempts to drown herself. When the prince's wedding day arrives, he is tormented by her image, which appears wherever he goes. Eventually, he is compelled to return and to try to find out what happened to her, regardless of the consequences.

Defence of Sevastopol

First film ever that was shot by two cameras. Set in 1854-1855, in Sevastopol and Yalta during the Crimean War. Admirals Kornilov (Mozzhukhin) and Nakhimov (Gromov) organize the defense during the siege of Sevastopol. Both admirals are killed during the battle, and the city of Sevastopol is taken by the alliance of British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops. The legendary feat of Sailor Koshka (Semenov) was staged at original location. The 100 minute-long film was premiered in 1911 at the Livadia, Yalta, palace for the Tsar Nicholas II.

Mazeppa

Mazepa, the Ukrainian governor is in love with his goddaughter Maria. He quickly wins her heart. But her old father treats the wooer harshly… Maria runs away. The furious father won’t submit. This intrigue makes the most of the ingredients of historical drama. Maria is confronted to the arbitrary; the young woman is in a dilemma between her love and her family. The tragic outcome is equal to her destiny.

1812

Made in 1912, this film has become known as one of the greatest pieces of pre-Soviet cinema. The silent film tells the story of the Patriotic war of 1812 when Napoleon attempted to invade Russia. This joint French and Russian film sparked major excitement in Moscow at its premier screening and continues to entertain audiences throughout the world today. The 32-minute silent film was the point of origin for some of the more advanced camera techniques used today. Sirotin of the Voice of Russia said that, “The film is interesting to spectators even today and is frequently shown both in Russia and abroad.”

Stenka Razin

Stenka Razin is the leader of a group of outlaws who live a life of revelry and carousing along the Volga River and in the nearby forests. When Razin becomes distracted by a captured foreign princess and starts to dote on her, his men are displeased, feeling that he is neglecting them and their usual activities. Soon they come up with a plot, in the hopes of turning Razin against the princess.

Peter the Great

The Death of Ivan the Terrible

Based on Aleksey Tolstoy's piece of the same name.

Volga And Siberia

Viy

Based on a the horror novella of the same name. First Russian horror film.