FURIOUS (LEGEND OF KOLOVRAT, 2017)--in Russian and Mongolian with English subtitles

1 year ago
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This is a 2017 Russian epic period action film. The plot is based on The Tale of the Destruction of Ryazan, a legend about the Siege of Ryazan by the Mongols, which approached Ancient Rus' in 1237, centered around the medieval knight Evpaty Kolovrat. In the prologue, a young Evpaty is overpowered by a band of Mongols in the aftermath of the Battle of the Kalka River (1223) and left for dead. He is given his nickname of Kolovrat ("spinning wheel") by Nastya, his later wife, for his dual wielding of two swords in a circular motion.
In the present day, in 1236, Evpaty is a knight in the service of prince Yuri of Ryazan. The Mongol army, led by the grandson of Genghis Khan, Batu Khan, once again approaches Ryazan in 1237. Warned of their approach, Prince Fedor leads a party of envoys, including Evpaty, to negotiate with the Khan. Recognizing Evpaty's boldness, the Khan gives him a talisman that allows its bearer safe conduct through the Mongol lines. Unfortunately, the Mongols turn on their visitors and Fedor is killed, but Evpaty and several soldiers manage to escape. When they return to Ryazan, the city has already been destroyed by the horde.
Evpaty gathers a detachment and leads it to delay the Mongol army, hoping that the neighboring Russian princes will be able to send support, but no help is forthcoming. He also details one of his soldiers, Karkun, to escort the women and children who survived the destruction for the city, to safety.
In a last stand, Evpaty and his comrades are defending a fortified hilltop. He manages to kill the Mongol commander Khostovrul, but all the defenders are ultimately killed. Mortally wounded, Evpaty looks down from the hill and sees a sail on the river, showing that their actions delayed the Mongols long enough for Karkun and his charges to escape. Evpaty stumbles to the bottom of the hill and mockingly returns the talisman to the Khan, saying he no longer has need of it, before dying. Batu Khan, impressed by the heroic defense, orders his men to give Evpaty a hero's burial.
An epilogue set in 1242 shows Karkun at the head of the united Novgorod-Vladimir army, exhorting his men to remember Evpaty's noble sacrifice, as they prepare to charge the Teutonic Knights in what will become the Battle on the Ice.

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