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

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.
- Released
- 2004-12-31
- Genres
- History
- Runtime
- 181 min
- Status
- Released
- Directed / written by
- Bulat Mansurov
Cast
- Andrey Sukhov as Vladimir, Prince of Novgorod
- Aleksandr Bespalyy as Vladimir in old age
- Alexander Philipenko as Yaropolk / Svyatopolk "the Accursed"
- Alsu Gaynullina as Altun-Maria
- Leonid Kuravlyov as Dobrynya
- Ravil Sharafi as Mamun, Emir of the Volga Bulgars
- Afanasi Kochetkov as Solovushka
- Donatas Banionis as Sveneld
- Juozas Budraitis as Asmud
- Elina Bystritskaya as Duchess Olga
- Yuriy Nazarov as Skomorokh Blessed
- Vasili Lanovoy as Constantine VIII
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