The Childhood of Maxim Gorky 1938 ( 6)

Young Maxim grows up under the czarist regime with his grandparents as guardians. Continually demeaned by his martinet grandfather, Maxim is drawn to his warm-hearted grandmother, who instills in him the willingness to pursue his writing muse.

The Magic Voyage of Sinbad 1953 ( 5.5)

Sadko is based on an opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, which was based on a Russian epic tale of the same name. In the old Russian city of Novgorod, the merchants are feasting in a gorgeous palace and Sadko is bragging that he can bring to their land a sweet-voiced bird of happiness. They laugh at him, but he is offered help by the Ocean King's daughter, who is mesmerized by Sadko's singing and is in love with him. The hero is destined to visit many lands in his search of the bird. First shown in the USA in 1953 with English subtitles. This entry is for 1962 English-dub by Roger Corman's Filmgroup, which runs about 8 minutes shorter (removes much of the music) than the Russian original (see, Sadko, 1953)

The Stone Flower 1946 ( 6)

This remarkable film is based on P. Bazhov’s fairy tale “The Malachite Box”. Little Danila was the most inquisitive apprentice of old Prokopich, a famous stone-carving master. Years passed… Like his teacher, the grown-up Danila has learned to feel the soul of his material and became an expert in handling rare precious stones found in the Ural Mountains. One day he met the Mistress of the Copper Mountain, a fairy who ordered for herself an unusual stone flower.

Anna Karenina 1911 ( 1)

Countess Anna Karenina is torn between her lover Vronsky, and her husband, Count Karenin. Anna's love to Vronsky causes her much pain and social pressure. Her passion to Vronsky drives Anna to leave her husband, but Vronsky goes to war, leaving her helpless. Anna feels so meaningless and lonely, that she becomes suicidal and throws herself under a train.

The Keys to Happiness 1913

Directed by Vladimir Gardin and Yakov Protazanov, this two-part epic was the most expensive Russian film at the time and smashed box office records. It is now considered lost, with only a 4 minute clip surviving.

A Scalped Corpse 1915

An Uncertain Season 1988 ( 7.8)

The small group of actors have to face many problems while preparing a new performance.