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Taras Shevchenko

Taras Shevchenko (1926)

Jan 01, 1926 3h 5m History Drama

The film adaptation of Taras Shevchenko’s biography of 1925 is the first Ukrainian biopic. At that time, it was one of the most expensive films, as for the first time experts in history, ethnography, and literary studies were involved in pre-production. The famous Modernism artist, academician Vasyl Kryvhevskyi designed the film, and professor Serhii Yefremov served as a consultant.  Consisting of numerous short stories, the film that shows the life of Shevchenko as an adolescent, a soldier, a poet, was successfully demonstrated in Ukraine and abroad and became the most acknowledged cinema project of 1926. Amvrosii Buchma played Taras Shevchenko.

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Directed by Pyotr Chardynin

Cast

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Amvrosi Buchma
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Amvrosi Buchma

as Taras Shevchenko

Vasyl Liudvynskyi
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Vasyl Liudvynskyi

as Taras in childhood

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Matvey Liarov

as landlord Engelhardt

Ivan Khudoleyev
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Ivan Khudoleyev

as Nicholas I

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Mykola Panov

as Taras’s father

Viktor Dobrovolsky
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Viktor Dobrovolsky

as Alexander II

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Boris Lesovoy

as poet Zhukovsky

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Volodymyr Lisovskyi

as a general

Crew

Director
  • Pyotr Chardynin
Writer
  • Dmytro Buzko
  • Mykola Panchenko

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Taras Shevchenko examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Pyotr Chardynin brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1926, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Taras Shevchenko took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 185 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 233 minutes long.
  • The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
  • The musical score contains over 42 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 1926, when this film was released:
  • Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
  • The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: January 1, 1926
  • Runtime: 3h 5m

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