Boris Godunov (1986): cast, story & where to watch
1986 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1986, Boris Godunov is a drama and history film directed by Sergey Bondarchuk, running about 130 minutes.
What it’s about. Praised for its fine photography and production design if not its narrative, Sergei Bondarchuk directed this adaptation of the tale by Alexander Pushkin. Boris Godunov came to the Czarist throne at the end of the 16th century, after the original heir to Ivan the Terrible had died. At first, things went well for Godunov (played by Bondarchuk), but when the Russian people began to believe he had killed Ivan the Terrible's son in order to gain the throne, an alliance sprang up against the new Czar. Events continued to spin out of control as a young monk was presented as the son Godunov had supposedly killed. Now he was openly accused of failing an assassination attempt, which seems to be even worse than succeeding. In addition to these woes, Boris Godunov began to suffer serious health problems. So much for the joys of kingship.
Who’s in it. Boris Godunov stars Sergey Bondarchuk as Boris Godunov, Alyona Bondarchuk as Tsarevna Kseniya, Georgi Burkov as Varlaam and Irina Skobtseva as Khozyaika Korchmi, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, Boris Godunov has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Boris Godunov page.
If you liked it. Fans of Boris Godunov tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Boris Godunov (1986)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Boris Godunov change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Boris Godunov worth watching?
- Boris Godunov holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Boris Godunov?
- Boris Godunov stars Sergey Bondarchuk, Alyona Bondarchuk, Georgi Burkov, Irina Skobtseva and Valeriy Storozhik.
- When was Boris Godunov released?
- Boris Godunov was released in 1986, with a runtime of about 130 minutes.