Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- rousing
- theatrical
- romantic
- classic movie night
- historical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a handsome but uneven literary adventure whose rousing action and music outweigh its stiff performances and downhill plotting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Andrii's love for Natalia conflicts with Taras's demands of family honor and Cossack resistance to Polish rule.
The Cossacks revolt against Polish domination of Ukraine and struggle for control of their land.
The production presents Cossack and Polish conflict through widescreen color photography, cavalry, and open Ukrainian-steppe settings.
Taras sends Andrii to learn the enemy's ways, but judges his son's choices through Cossack honor and national loyalty.
Films like Taras Bulba, and why
The Vikings
swashbuckling historical adventure, family loyalty, and large-scale armed conflict
El Cid
period warfare, forbidden romance, and heightened studio adventure spectacle
The Last of the Mohicans
historical rebellion, divided loyalties, and tragic romantic stakes
The Three Musketeers
classic literary adaptation combining romance, political conflict, and battlefield adventure
Movie Details
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Release Date
- 1962-11-21
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (85)
Cast
- Tony Curtis
- Yul Brynner
- Christine Kaufmann
- Sam Wanamaker
- Brad Dexter
- Guy Rolfe
- Perry Lopez
- George Macready
- Ilka Windish
- Vladimir Sokoloff
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Taras Bulba about?
- A Cossack patriarch's campaign against Polish domination collides with his son's forbidden love for a Polish noblewoman.
- What is Taras Bulba like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Taras Bulba as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Taras Bulba violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Taras Bulba as graphic.
- What did critics think of Taras Bulba?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a handsome but uneven literary adventure whose rousing action and music outweigh its stiff performances and downhill plotting.
- Which films are like Taras Bulba?
- Films with a similar feel include The Vikings, El Cid, The Last of the Mohicans, and The Three Musketeers.
- How long is Taras Bulba?
- Taras Bulba runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Taras Bulba?
- In United States, Taras Bulba streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
