Cossacks of the Kuban

Cossacks of the Kuban
Directed by	Ivan Pyryev
Written by	Nikolai Pogodin
Starring	Marina Ladynina Sergei Lukyanov Yuri Lyubimov Aleksandr Khvylya Klara Luchko
Cinematography	Valentin Pavlov
Edited by	Anna Kulganek
Music by	Isaak Dunayevsky
Production company	Mosfilm
Release date	1950 (1950)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	Soviet Union
Language	Russian

Cossacks of the Kuban (Russian: Кубанские казаки, romanized: Kubanskie kazaki) from Mosfilm is a color film, glorifying the life of the farmers in the kolkhoz of the Soviet Union's Kuban region, directed by Ivan Pyryev and starring Marina Ladynina, his wife at that time. The movie premiered on 26 February 1950.

Synopsis

The film is set in the early post-war years and centers on the rivalry between two Kuban collective farms, "Red Partisans" and "Precepts of Ilyich." This competition extends to their leaders: the bold and proud Gordei Voron (Sergey Lukyanov) and the strong-willed Galina Peresvetova (Marina Ladynina). Amid this rivalry, a budding romance develops between Nikolai Kovylev (Vladlen Davydov), a skilled horse breeder from "Precepts of Ilyich," and Dasha Shelest (Klara Luchko), an exemplary worker from "Red Partisans." Their mutual affection faces obstacles as their respective leaders are unwilling to lose such valuable workers to the other farm.

Dasha, who was raised by Voron like a daughter, asserts her independence, negotiating that their future be determined by the outcome of a horse race during the autumn fair. Nikolai's victory secures their union, but traditions dictate that they must move to the bridegroom's collective farm. Despite his reservations, Voron reluctantly accepts the couple's decision. Meanwhile, tensions between Voron and Peresvetova come to a head. Galina, who has long harbored feelings for Gordei, intentionally lets him win during a cart race at the fair, finally revealing her affection.

The film concludes with Gordei pursuing Galina as she travels alone across the steppe. Overcoming his pride, he demands a confession of her feelings, which she gives, setting the stage for a future of unity and shared purpose between the two farms, as well as their leaders. The narrative captures themes of love, community, and reconciliation against the backdrop of post-war agricultural revival.

Cast (partial list)

• Marina Ladynina as Galina
• Sergei Lukyanov as Gordei Gordeyich Voron
• Vladimir Volodin as Anton Petrovich Mudretsov
• Yuri Lyubimov as Andrey
• Aleksandr Khvylya as Denis Stepanovich
• Klara Luchko as Darya Shelest
• Ekaterina Savinova as Lubochka
• Viktor Avdyushko as stableman
• Valentina Telegina as Khristoforovna
• Vladlen Davydov as Nikolai Matveyevich Kovalev

Songs (partial list)

• Harvest (in Russian: Урожай, words by Mikhail Isakovsky and music by Isaak Dunayevsky)
• How Have You Been, Dearest? (in Russian: Каким ты был, ditto)
• Oh, the Kalina Flowers Are in Bloom (Russian: Ой, цветет калина, ditto)

See also

• Cinema of the Soviet Union
• Cinema of Russia
• Kolkhoz
• Kuban
• Kuban Cossacks
• Ballad of Siberia

External links

• Cossacks of the Kuban at IMDb
• Watch Cossacks of the Kuban online at official Mosfilm site (with English subtitles)