Taras Bulba (1962)

Set in the 16th century, the Cossacks are lured by Poland to conquer a common enemy, the Ottoman Empire. But they are betrayed when the Poles attack the Cossacks after they win the battle for them. One of the Cossack leaders (Yul Brynner) vows to take back their country. Loosely based on the novel by Nikolai Gogol and directed by J. Lee Thompson (GUNS OF NAVARONE). An absorbing spectacle that doesn't overwhelm the personal story, that of a father (Brynner) and son (Tony Curtis) bond that eventually breaks. Brynner is perfectly cast as the larger than life Cossack but Curtis, once again, shows how out of place he is in pre 20th century historical films. The film profits from Joseph MacDonald's attractive wide screen cinematography (Argentina substituting for the Ukraine) and Franz Waxman's Oscar nominated score (his scoring of the ride to Dubno is a highlight). An intelligent epic! With Christine Kaufmann (who Tony Curtis would marry), Perry Lopez, Sam Wanamaker, Bad Dexter and Guy Rolfe.