Vassily Buslayev

The son of a Novgorod governor, Vassily grows up a friend to the simple folk of the city and is kind to the poor; the wealthy merchants perceive him to be a threat, a force who could rally the masses. When the invasion of Novgorod by its enemy looks imminent, Vassily pledges to protect his country's independence, and the the fat rulers are pleased: the young man's march is a contract with death! They think there is no way for him to emerge from battle with an enemy such as this, but emerge he does, far greater than anyone could have hoped. He defeats his rivals and brings his expedition home safely, and even finds love along the way. This fantastic drama is based on the epic Russian poem of the same name by Sergei Narovchatov.