Is Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2004)

📖 The Core Premise

Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun stands as a 2004 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the History landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The second part of Bulat Mansurov's planned epic film series; “The Saga of the Ancient Bulgars". The film depicts the life and reign of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich of Kiev, known in legends as Vladimir the Red Sun. The story begins in 972 AD, after the death of his father, Grand Prince Svyatoslav, which ignites a power struggle among Vladimir and his brothers. The film emphasizes that Russian princes only succeeded when they maintained good relations with the Bulgars and other steppe nations. It also depicts Vladimir's reflection on his rise to power upon receiving the book "The Ladder" in 1005, ten years after his conversion to Christianity."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun, even the presence of Andrey Sukhov struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good History. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun worth your time? If you appreciate History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Saga of the Ancient Bulgars: The Ladder of Vladimir the Red Sun misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 181 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.