Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 8, 2022

1956’s “Ilya Muromets” was intended to be a major moviegoing event for Russian audiences, with director Aleksandr Ptushko throwing everything he had into the creation of the Cinemascope epic, which is inspired by “Russian heroic folk tales.” The feature wasn’t welcomed with open arms in America, soon recut and retitled by Roger Corman (presenting the more eye-catching “The Sword and the Dragon”), who aimed to transform the endeavor into a matinee distraction. And a copy of the picture eventually found its way to the “Mystery Science Theater 3000” gang, who riffed the re- edit in a particularly amusing 1994 episode of the show. “Ilya Muromets” has now returned, restored by Mosfilm, who hope to present the effort the way it was originally seen by Russian viewers, reinforcing the amazing scope of the feature as Ptushko’s imagination is celebrated throughout the viewing experience, with the helmer striving to bring fantasy to life.

Story-wise, “Ilya Muromets” isn’t quite built for non-Russian viewers, presenting a tale of good vs. evil that employs a substantial amount of character names and somewhat hazy connections. The basic plot explores the valor of Ilya, a man of honor who rises up to defend Kiev from Tsar Kalin and his Tugar armies, keeping his love, Vassilisa, on his mind as he engages with the enemy. There’s much to keep track of, but Ptushko seems to understand this, emphasizing the broadness of behavior and the sheer spectacle of “Ilya Muromets,” which is never far from a show of cinematic force as the unreal details of this conflict unfold.

“Ilya Muromets” is eye-candy, leading with artful inspiration from paintings transferred to filmmaking, creating a rich sense of screen life to enchant viewers. Conflicts are knotted and the players shift on occasion, but the endeavor is always visually compelling, with Ptushko often employing thousands of extras to create vast armies on the move, and he frequently turns to special effects and heavy makeup work to sell the fantasy elements of the tale, which involves monstrous creatures, including a three-headed dragon. The sheer size of “Ilya Muromets” is something to behold, presenting vivid technical achievements and a vision from the helmer to celebrate Russian folktales and their often extraordinary feats of strength and power.

Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

While a thunderous Russian epic, "Ilya Muromets" remains a rather obscure endeavor. Deaf Crocodile hopes to change that with their Blu-ray release of the movie, which is listed as a "New 4K restoration from the original 35mm picture and sound elements by Mosfilm." The bigness of the effort is revived here, with screen particulars open for examination, surveying dimensional distances filled with extras and action. Detail is present on characters, exploring makeup work and ornate costuming, which remains fibrous here. Interiors are highly textured with extravagant decoration. Colors are pleasing, with the feature's painterly appearance intact, offering rich reds and golds. Skintones are intentionally exaggerated and remain appreciable. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong condition.

Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix is a little uneven at times, finding levels slightly shifting, sometimes mid-scene. Dialogue exchanges are capable, with broad performances preserved. Scoring cues are louder, with appreciable orchestral fullness and nuance. Sound effects are blunt but effective.

Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (26 pages) offers an intro by Dennis Bartok and magazine articles exploring the career of Aleksandr Ptushko.

• Commentary features film historian Stephen R. Bissette.

• And a Restoration Trailer (3:27, HD) is included.

Ilya Muromets Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Ilya Muromets" blends song and dance into the viewing experience, and even a few moves from Walt Disney are lifted to bring some magic to the movie. Ptushko provides a sweeping appreciation for heroism and villainy, and that's enough to charm viewers looking for a slightly different take on epic cinema. "Ilya Muromets" doesn't always welcome a tight inspection of narrative details, but the artistry of it all soon takes over the viewing event, highlighting Ptushko as a visionary with grand sights to share.