- For the episode, see MST3K 617 - The Sword and the Dragon.
The Sword and the Dragon is a 1956 mythology/folklore movie directed by Aleksandr Ptushko and written by Mikhail Kochnev. It was released in the United States in 1960 by Roger Corman's production company.
Plot[]
A happy and peaceful kingdom is ravaged by a plundering tribe of Tugars headed by the vicious Kalin. Only one person can defy him: a brawny farmer and man of the people known as Ilya Muromets. With magic sword in hand, Ilya sets off on his quest to topple Kalin. He must overcome several obstacles including a wind demon and a flying three-headed fire-dragon.
Cast[]
- Boris Andreyev as Ilya Muromets
- Shukur Burkhanov as Tsar Kalin
- Andrei Abrikosov as Prince Vladimir (Prince Vanda in the US release)
- Natalya Medvedeva as Princess Apraksia
- Ninel Myshkova as Vasilisa (Vilya in the US release)
- Sergey Martinson as Mishatychka
Notes[]
- Ilya Muromets is a well-known figure in Russian folklore.
- Roger Corman re-edited this film in the early 60s for U.S. release, changing many of the character names, such as "Nightingale the Robber" to "Wind Demon" and "Svyatogor" to "Invincor."
- For the English dubbed version, Paul Frees did the voice of Kalin, along with several other voices. Respected journalist Mike Wallace (from TV’s 60 Minutes) did the narration.
MST3K Connections[]
- Director Aleksandr Ptushko also directed The Day the Earth Froze and The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Ninel Myshkova also portrayed the Princess of Lake Ilmen in The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Sergey Martinson also portrayed a monk in The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Sergei Stolyarov (Aljoscha Popovich) also portrayed Sinbad/Sadko in The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Paul Frees (English voice of Kalin) also performed the voices of Sir Ulrich in The Magic Sword, Frank Hubbard in Tormented, multiple characters in The Beatniks (as well as being director, writer, executive producer, and lyricist), and the helicopter pilot in Beginning of the End.
- Composer Igor Morozov was also composer for The Day the Earth Froze.
- Cinematogrepher Fyodor Provorov was also cinematographer for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Production designer Yevgeni Kumankov was also art director for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad
- Costume designer Olga Kruchinina was also costume designer for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Production director Gleb Kuznetzov was also producer for The Day the Earth Froze.
- Special effects cinematographer Aleksandr Renkov was also special effects technician for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Special effects designer Evgeniy Svidetelev was also production designer for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Dubbing director James Landis was also dubbing director for The Magic Voyage of Sinbad.
- Marvin Miller (English voice of Ilya Muromets) was also the narrator for King Dinosaur, The Day the Earth Froze, The Deadly Mantis, The Phantom Planet, and Pipeline to the Clouds.