The Rebel’s Son – The Story of Taras Bulba is a British historical adventure drama adapted from Nikolai Gogol’s classic novel Taras Bulba. The story follows Taras Bulba, a fierce Cossack leader, and his two sons, Andrei and Ostap, during the struggles between the Cossacks and the Poles in the 17th century. It portrays themes of loyalty, nationalism, love, and betrayal, culminating in tragedy as one of the sons falls in love with a Polish noblewoman, leading to conflict between family duty and personal desire.
Genre: Historical Drama / Adventure
Director: Adrian Brunel
Adrian Brunel (1892–1958) was a British film director, screenwriter, and producer who rose to prominence during the silent era with satirical shorts and comedies. Known for his wit and sharp storytelling, Brunel struggled to maintain his career during the transition to sound, but continued to direct features into the 1930s. The Rebel’s Son was among his later films, reflecting his attempt to tackle more serious and ambitious literary material.
Star Cast:
- Harry Baur as Taras Bulba
- Anthony Bushell as Andrei Bulba
- Tamara Desni as Natalia
- Roger Livesey as Ostap Bulba
- Frederick Culley as Prince Wasilewski
- Maurice Moscovitch as Yankel
- Robert Cochran as Stepan
The film was noted for its ambition in bringing Gogol’s sweeping tale to the screen, though as a British production it was more modest in scale compared to Hollywood epics. Critics praised Harry Baur’s commanding performance as Taras Bulba and Roger Livesey’s strength in a supporting role. While not a major box office success, it was respected for introducing English-speaking audiences to Gogol’s story and for its attempt at a grand historical narrative within limited resources.
Fun Facts:
- The film was adapted from Gogol’s 1835 novel Taras Bulba, which has been adapted many times internationally.
- Harry Baur, who played Taras Bulba, was a prominent French actor acclaimed for his dramatic power; his casting gave the film a degree of prestige.
- Roger Livesey, later famous for his collaborations with Powell and Pressburger in films such as The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), appears here in an early role.
- This was one of Adrian Brunel’s last significant films, as his career declined in the 1940s.
- The movie was released in the United States under the simpler title The Rebel’s Son.
- Later film versions of Taras Bulba, particularly the 1962 Hollywood adaptation starring Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis, overshadowed this British version, but it remains of interest to film historians.
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