Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun
2004The 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.
Acted in
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
Yelena Tsyplakova
as Slava
Boris Khmelnitsky
as Svyatoslav / Erik, King of Sweden
Anna Mikhalkova
as Anna of Byzantium
Alisa Priznyakova
as Rogneda
Lyubov Omelchenko
as Rogneda in old age
Yuri Sherstnev
as Putsha
Olga Lysenko
as "Greek" Nun
Roman Vildan
Khodzha Durdy Narliyev
as Polovtsian
Manana Melkonyan
Vladimir Khalturin
Ilya Slavutsky
as Boris
Ildus Akhmetzyanov
N. Chebakov
