Godunov (Russian: Годуно́в) is a Russian historical drama television series created by Ilya Tikin and Nikolay Borisov, directed by Alexei Andrianov and Timur Alpatov.[1][2] The first season premiered from November 5 to November 8, 2018 on the "Russia-1" national TV channel. The second season premiered from March 25 to March 29, 2019.[3]

Godunov
GenreHistorical drama
Created by
  • Nikolay Borisov
  • Ilya Tilkin
  • Yekaterina Jukova
Based onGodunov
by K. Badigin
Directed by
  • Alexey Andrianov (Seas 1)
  • Timur Alpatov (Season 2)
Starring
ComposerArtem Vasilyev
Country of originRussia
Original languageRussian
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes17 (8+9)
Production
ProducerGlavkino
Production locationRussia
CinematographySergey Machilsky, Maxim Shinkorenko
EditorIgor Litoninsky
Running time42-52 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkRossiya 1
ReleaseNovember 5, 2018 (2018-11-05) –
March 29, 2019 (2019-03-29)

The series tells the story of historical events covering the years 1580 to 1613, from the late reign of Ivan the Terrible (1530-1584), the first Tsar of all Rus', until the ascension to the Russian throne of Mikhail I Romanov (1598-1645).[4] It centers upon the fate of the Godunov family: Tsar Boris Godunov (1551-1605), his wife Maria Skuratova-Belskaya, his sister Irina Godunova, his son Fyodor II of Russia and his daughter Tsarevna Xenia Borisovna.[5][6]

The creators based themselves upon the novel-chronicle "Shipwreck near the Island of Hope" (1978, not translated) by historical novelist Konstantin Badygin.[7] The novel tells the story of Boris Godunov's rise to power and the struggle of the powerful Stroganov family with the background of English merchants trying to establish privileged trade relations.[8] The authors slightly changed the storylines, simplifying them and replacing some of the characters.[9] Nonetheless, most of the characters are strictly historical. The score was written and orchestrated by renowned Kazakh composer Artem Vasilyev[10][11]

The series is currently available on Region 1 DVD (in Russian with English subtitles) and on Amazon's Prime Video.[12]

Plot

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Russia, around the year 1600: The mysterious death of the rightful heir Dmitry of Uglich ends the rule of the Rurik dynasty, leading to a power struggle. The ambiguous Tsar Boris Godunov's rise to power meets with deceitful conspiracies by the Russian aristocrats, the "Boyars"; the destruction of his whole family and the troubled years that follow are unveiled in this major saga, featuring excellent period reconstructions, accurate historicity, costumes, and top-notch acting.[13]

Season One covers the historical period from the last years of Tsar Ivan the Terrible's reign until the coronation of Boris Godunov in 1598.[14] Season Two's first four episodes cover the 7-year long reign of Tsar Boris, marked by a two-year famine and the enmity of the Boyars who disliked the Tsar because "he wasn't one of them" whilst he sought to curb their power. After Tsar Boris's death in 1605, eight more years of troubles follow, that will witness five successive rulers, including two impostors, seizing power. The series ends with the successful resistance of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius monastery withstanding a celebrated 16-month Polish-Lithuanian historical siege.[15]

Cast

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Season One[16]

Season Two

References

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  1. ^ "GODUNOV". sales.vgtrk.com. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  2. ^ Beyond, Russia (2021-11-11). "5 new Russian theater performances to watch online with English subtitles". www.rbth.com. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  3. ^ "Premium Spotlight on Lavish Russian Epic Tv Saga on Famous 16th Century Tsar Boris Godunov with Sergei Bezrukov and Svetlana Khodchenkova". 26 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Review of Russian TV Miniseries Godunov – Part I". 26 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Review: 'Godunov' Season 1 Begins with Intrigue and Royal Drama".
  6. ^ "Godunov | Apple TV". 4 November 2018.
  7. ^ Книга "Кораблекрушение у острова Надежды". Вече. 2007. ISBN 9785953326360.
  8. ^ "Книга: Константин Бадигин. Кораблекрушение у острова Надежды".
  9. ^ "Review: 'Godunov' Season 1 Begins with Intrigue and Royal Drama".
  10. ^ "Artyom Vasilev". IMDb.
  11. ^ https://www.classicalarchives.com/newca/#!/Composer/3502
  12. ^ "Watch Godunov | Prime Video". Amazon.
  13. ^ "Godunov serial (2018) watch online free history of Russia ⋆ Youtebem | for you / For You". 3 March 2019.
  14. ^ Sanaeva, Galina (2020-04-03). "Russian Historical TV Series to Watch While in Quarantine". russianaccent. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  15. ^ http://sales.vgtrk.com/en/catalog/Historical-drama%21/41826/
  16. ^ "Godunov (TV Series 2018– ) Full Cast".
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