Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun (2004)

Plot Summary

The second part of Bulat Mansurov's planned epic film series; “The Saga of the Ancient Bulgars". The film depicts the life and reign of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich of Kiev, known in legends as Vladimir the Red Sun. The story begins in 972 AD, after the death of his father, Grand Prince Svyatoslav, which ignites a power struggle among Vladimir and his brothers. The film emphasizes that Russian princes only succeeded when they maintained good relations with the Bulgars and other steppe nations. It also depicts Vladimir's reflection on his rise to power upon receiving the book "The Ladder" in 1005, ten years after his conversion to Christianity.

Full Cast & Characters

Andrey Sukhov

Vladimir, Prince of Novgorod

Aleksandr Bespalyy

Vladimir in old age

Alexander Philipenko

Yaropolk / Svyatopolk "the Accursed"

Alsu Gaynullina

Altun-Maria

Leonid Kuravlyov

Dobrynya

Ravil Sharafi

Mamun, Emir of the Volga Bulgars

Afanasi Kochetkov

Solovushka

Donatas Banionis

Sveneld

Juozas Budraitis

Asmud

Elina Bystritskaya

Duchess Olga

Yuriy Nazarov

Skomorokh Blessed

Vasili Lanovoy

Constantine VIII

Director & Crew

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