A bastard prince faces impossible choices when blood law demands fratricide — and peace costs more than war.
The early Middle Ages. A time of heavy swords and dark blood law. The ruling clan is in discord. The guilt for the accidental death of the brother has fallen on the Grand Duke. According to the law, revenge must be taken by the younger brother, a bastard. For the refusal to kill, he has to pay with eve- rything he had, because “for peace you need more swords than for a war”...
Production
Practical medieval villages built for muddy authenticity.
Cinematography
Bleached northern skies that make violence feel biblical.
Acting
Danila Kozlovsky's brooding restraint against explosive rage.
Director
Andrey Kravchuk
Svetlana Khodchenkova
Irina
Aleksandra Bortich
Rogneda
Danila Kozlovsky
Vladimir
Paweł Deląg
Anastas
Aleksandr Armer
Ulvar
Anton Adasinsky
Volkhv
Rostislav Bershauer
Blud
John DeSantis
Berserk
Joakim Nätterqvist
Khevding
Igor Petrenko
Varyazhko
Andrey Smolyakov
Rogovold
Vladimir Yepifantsev
Fedor
Kirill Pletnyov
Oleg
Aleksandr Ustyugov
Yaropolk
Aleksandr Lobanov
Putyata
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Depicts the Christianization of Kievan Rus', a foundational moment in Russian identity that remains politically contested today.
Danila Kozlovsky later directed and starred in 'Chernobyl: Abyss' — this was his breakthrough to leading man status.
RU
