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The film opens in medieval Russia, where the aging bogatyr Svyatogor entrusts his magical sword to pilgrims before transforming into a mountain as he dies. Meanwhile, the Tugars, an Asiatic pagan horde, terrorize the land, pillaging villages, including that of Ilya Muromets. Crippled since childhood, Ilya is unable to protect his fiancée, Vassilisa, who is taken captive. Mishatychka, a villager caught by the Tugars, agrees to betray his people in exchange for his life. When pilgrims arrive at Ilya’s home, they cure his paralysis with a magical potion and song and present him with Svyatogor’s sword. Determined to defend his homeland, Ilya sets off on a journey, riding a foal that magically matures into a steed. Along the way, he defeats Nightingale the Robber, a monstrous forest dweller.
In Kiev, Prince Vladimir the Fair Sun oversees preparations against the Tugars. Ilya arrives, presenting Nightingale the Robber as a prisoner and earning the prince's admiration. He joins a brotherhood of bogatyrs alongside Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. When the Tugar ambassador, the massive Idolishche Poganoye, demands an exorbitant tribute, Ilya refuses and kills him, escalating tensions. Rescuing Vassilisa from Tugar captors, Ilya temporarily reunites with her but leaves to continue his fight. Pregnant with Ilya's child, Vassilisa is recaptured by the Tugars and gives birth to their son, Sokolnichek, who is raised as a Tugar warrior by their leader, Tsar Kalin. Betrayed by Mishatychka, Ilya is imprisoned for a decade. Meanwhile, the Tugars besiege Kiev, demanding a vast ransom. Ilya is eventually freed and devises a clever ploy to delay the Tugars, allowing time for reinforcements to arrive. Mishatychka is exposed as a traitor and executed.
In the climactic battle, Ilya confronts his son, Sokolnichek, now a formidable warrior. Recognizing the familial bond, Sokolnichek switches sides, helping to free Vassilisa and other captives. The Rus' armies, led by Ilya, Dobrynya Nikitich, and Alyosha Popovich, engage the Tugars in a massive confrontation. During the battle, Tsar Kalin releases the fire-breathing dragon Zmey Gorynych, which is ultimately defeated by the Rus' forces. A final arrow from Kiev's ballista topples Tsar Kalin from his perch, ensuring victory. With the Tugars routed, Ilya declines royal honors to reunite with his family and embarks on new adventures, passing his sword and legacy to Sokolnichek, who continues the heroic lineage.
Monsters besides Nightingale the Robber and the dragon Zmey Gorynych, are Idolishche Poganoye and Likho the One-Eyed.[3]
Production
Roger Corman re-edited the film in the early 1960s for US release, changing many names: Nightingale the Robber was changed to Wind Demon, Svyatogor became Invincor, Gorynych the Serpent was renamed Zuma the Fire Dragon, Dobrynya became Durbar, and the Khan was changed to Khalin. This version also included narration by Mike Wallace[4] and Shukur Burkhanov (Khalin) was dubbed by voice actor Paul Frees.
Legacy
Corman's edit was featured on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as The Sword and the Dragon.[5] The MST3K crew mistook the film's nation of origin to be Finland, and filled the episode with jokes about the Finnish.
Zmey Gorynych was a heavy inspiration for the KaijuKing Ghidorah, who would go on to become the archnemesis of Godzilla.
^Огонек, Volume 34 (in Russian). Издательство "Правда". 1956. p. 1005. В съемках принимали участие «чудища», которые создавались здесь же, в студии, вроде Идолища, Соловья-разбойника, Змея-Горыныча, Лиха Одноглазого (other «monsters» participating in the filming: Idolishche, Nightingale the Robber, Zmey Gorynych [ru], one-eyed Likho)
