A bawdy and lusty adventure of Polish peasants vs. Russian imperialism with a fine cast led by Yul Brynner showing his lighter side as a Russian cossack in charge of a small Polish community trying to find out who is responsible for stealing majestic horses, while keeping the peasants in line. Oliver Tobias is the one responsible with the assistance of uncle Eli Wallach. Jane Birkin and Lainie Kazan are Tobias and Wallach's ladies who use their femininity (and in Kazan's case her luscious bosom) to keep Brynner distracted, resulting in some very funny moments.
Where folks are poor, that's where music is rich, I've heard said, and indeed, these Polish Jews are filled with life through their music, dance, and genuine desire for complete happiness in a very hard life. The conflicts between the Russians and Polish Jews comes to a complete standstill when a Russian man in power lusts after a Polish Jewish woman as Brynner does with the sultry Kazan.
It's a fun adventure of a difficult time in Russian and Polish history, evidenced in several films made in 1971 ("Nicholas and Alexandra", "The Music Lovers", "Fiddler on the Roof"), and this obscure adventure with light comedy is quite fun. Everyone seems to be in the mood to party here, and Kazan even gets to sing. Brynner seems to be enjoying showing his silly side as his cossack character is quite different than most of the other roles he played. Sadly the public domain print has tinny sound, but for the most part is watchable.
Where folks are poor, that's where music is rich, I've heard said, and indeed, these Polish Jews are filled with life through their music, dance, and genuine desire for complete happiness in a very hard life. The conflicts between the Russians and Polish Jews comes to a complete standstill when a Russian man in power lusts after a Polish Jewish woman as Brynner does with the sultry Kazan.
It's a fun adventure of a difficult time in Russian and Polish history, evidenced in several films made in 1971 ("Nicholas and Alexandra", "The Music Lovers", "Fiddler on the Roof"), and this obscure adventure with light comedy is quite fun. Everyone seems to be in the mood to party here, and Kazan even gets to sing. Brynner seems to be enjoying showing his silly side as his cossack character is quite different than most of the other roles he played. Sadly the public domain print has tinny sound, but for the most part is watchable.