Sunday, June 22, 2008

Rulan and Ludmila

Author(s): Harry
Location: Colombia

“Ruslan and Ludmila”
A New Line Cinema Release

Directed by Peter Jackson
Written by Andrew Adamson, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson
Produced by David Franzoni, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson
Music by Howard Shore
Production design by Grant Major
Cinematography by Andrew Lesnie
Costume Design by Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor
Editing by Lee Smith

Principal Cast:

Russell Crowe as Ruslan
Scarlett Johansson as Ludmila
Ian Mckellen as the Wizard
Sean Bean as Rogday
John Rhys-Davies as Farlaf
Eric Bana as Ratmir
Tilda Swinton as Naina
Brian Cox as King Vladimir of Kiev
Christopher Lee as Chernomor
Andy Serkins as the Giant Head (voice)

Tagline: “The journey of one knight that did anything for the love of his life”

Memorable Quote: “Always believe in hope my love. One day, I shall arrive and all of this will end.” – Russell Crowe as Ruslan

Rating: PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and some disturbing moments.

Synopsis: Once upon a time, there was a brave knight named Ruslan and a beautiful princess named Ludmila. They loved one another and King Vladimir of Kiev, father of Ludmila, organized a feast in honor of their marriage. At the feast, there were three jealous suitors in love of the princess, Rogday, Farlaf and Ratmir. When the festivities ended, Ruslan led his bride to their nuptial bed. Suddenly and unexpectedly, a clap of thunder shook the ground. Ruslan turned to embrace his bride but she had disappeared without living a trace.

King Vladimir learned of this the following day and enraged, he cancelled the marriage and offered the hand of his daughter to whoever rescued her and brought her home. Immediately, Rogday, Farlaf, Ratmir and Ruslan mounted their horses and began to seek for the princess. Rogday thought he saw the kidnapper and after chasing him and throwing him into a ditch, he discovered it was his on rival Farlaf. In the ditch, Farlaf met a wicked old witch named Naina that told him to wait for the return of one of the knights with Ludmila so that he could snatch her from his rival. Ratmir meanwhile arrived to a castle full inhabited by beautiful maidens. Nobody heard of him again.

In his search for the beautiful Ludmila, Ruslan met a wise wizard at a cage in a mysterious forest. The wizard told him of the love of his life that became a wicked old witch (Naina) after obtaining her love with magic. Ruslan then learned that Ludmila was kidnapped by a wicked sorcerer named Chernomor. Ruslan continued his epic journey and met his jealous rival Rogday. On horseback, the two had a bloody combat were Ruslan took the victory killing his rival. A short while later, when night began to appear; Ruslan founded a giant head in his path. The head strongly blowed Ruslan away but he attacked it by cutting its tongue. The giant head promised to be obedient and told him that the sorcerer Chernomor was his brother and cut his head. The Giant Head gave a shining sword to Ruslan that would permit him a victory against Chernomor by cutting his beard and making him loose his magical powers.

Meanwhile, Ludmila was kidnapped in a castle were she could live comfortably. The castle was full of wonderful decorations and magic but she lived unhappy because she wanted to be with Ruslan. Ruslan arrived to the castle and began an intense and dark fight. Ruslan felt strong emotions and had faith on beating the evil sorcerer to rescue his love. Chernomor had feelings of hate and madness since he wanted to be with Ludmila forever. The obscure fight ended when Ruslan cut Chernomor beard and took his magical powers away. He returned home with Ludmila but Farlaf was waiting there. He killed Ruslan and took Ludmila. The Wizard, full of good, revived Ruslan with magic. Ruslan then got aware of what Farlaf did to him and learned that there was a terrible battle in Kiev against nomads. Ruslan gave Kiev the victory. King Vladimir learned of everything that happened and Ruslan was able to marry Ludmila.

Ruslan went to see Ludmila and she opens her eyes.

Marveled at the long night
Suddenly she beheld the sight
If her night. Ruslan she faced
And passionately her hero she embraced.

And they lived happily ever after.

What the press would say:

Based on the acclaimed fantasy poem by Alexander Pushkin, “Ruslan and Ludmila” is a majestic epic fantasy film. The film is directed by the fascinating Peter Jackson who captivates the emotions and feelings of each character as you feel their pain, their love or their hate. Jackson also provided an amazing atmosphere of the time and location as well an impeccable directing of his actors. Russell Crowe plays the role of a lifetime as the courageous knight Ruslan that will do anything to save his love. The beautiful Scarlet Johansson makes the screen shine as Ludmila when she feels an enormous unhappiness while she waits for her hero. Other worthy performances include Ian McKellen as the Wizard, John Rhys-Davies as Farlaf, Christopher Lee as Chernomor and Tilda Swinton as the wicked old witch Naina. This epic fairy tale is not only one that will make you live again your childhood with a masterful story translated by an outstanding screenplay, it is also a film with intense battle moments where you will suffer, touching love scenes were you will feel amazing and astonishing creatures such as the Giant Head. “Ruslan and Ludmila” is a film you will never forget.

Awards:

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture – Drama (HFPA)
Best Ensemble (SAG)
Best Directing
Best Actor- Russell Crowe
Best Actress- Scarlet Johansson
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Score
Best Production Design
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup
Best Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Visual Effects

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