Aleksandr Ptushko Fantastika Box [Blu-ray]

Aleksandr Ptushko Fantastika Box Blu-ray gathers four monumental fantasy epics from the filmmaker often described as the Soviet Walt Disney, presenting the definitive showcase of his visionary approach to myth, folklore, and cinematic spectacle. Spanning medieval heroism, pagan legend, fairy-tale romance, and operatic fantasy, this collection captures the full scope of Ptushko’s groundbreaking work in fantastika cinema.

Beginning with Ilya Muromets (1956), Ptushko delivers a sweeping CinemaScope epic of knights, invading forces, and three-headed dragons, blending folklore with jaw-dropping practical effects. Sampo (1959), adapted from the Finnish national epic Kalevala, follows a battle over a magical mill capable of producing endless wealth, plunging the world into darkness when the sun itself is stolen. The Tale of Tsar Saltan (1967) adapts Alexander Pushkin’s fairy tale into one of Ptushko’s most lyrical and emotionally resonant works, filled with enchanted imagery and operatic grandeur. The set concludes with Ruslan and Ludmila (1972), Ptushko’s final and most expansive film, a two-and-a-half-hour summation of his career packed with mythic quests, sorcery, and unforgettable visual invention.

Newly restored and curated by Deaf Crocodile, the Aleksandr Ptushko Fantastika Box Blu-ray presents all four films in stunning high definition, accompanied by an extensive slate of scholarly extras exploring Ptushko’s legacy, techniques, and lasting influence on fantasy cinema worldwide.

directed by: aleksandr ptushko
1956–1972 / 411 min total

Language: Russian
Audio: stereo
Discs: 4