Inspired by an ancient Russian folk tale and adapted from the novella by Daniel Chongadze, The Legend of Suram Fortress is a dazzling film by visionary director Sergei Paradjanov (Ashik Kerib, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors).

As the story opens, repeated efforts by the Georgian people to construct a defensive stronghold continually fail. The building they are laboring to complete collapses, but then a fortune teller remembers an old prophecy: In order for the fortress to stand, the son of her erstwhile lover must be bricked up inside the structure ; alive. The young man is faced with the prospect of sacrificing himself to save his homeland.

Filled with vivid and unforgettable imagery, The Legend of Suram Fortress is a surreal ode to the Georgian warriors throughout the ages who died for their country.

USSR 1984 83 min. Color Original Aspect Ratio (1.33:1) In Georgian with optional English, French or Spanish subtitles
A GEORGIA-FILM STUDIO Production
A film by SERGEI PARADJANOV THE LEGEND OF SURAM FORTRESS
Starring VERIKO ANDZHAPARIDZE DODO ABASHIDZE SOFIKO CHIAURELI DEDUKHANA TSERODZE TAMAR TSITSISHVILI ZURAB KIPSHIDZE and LEVAN UCHAINESHVILI
Costume Design IRINA MIKATADZE
Production Design ALEKSANDR DZHANSHIEV
Cinematography YURI KLIMENKO
Original Music DZHANSUG KAKHIDZE
Written by VAZHA GIGASHVILI
From the novella by DANIEL CHONGADZE
Produced by KHUTA GOGILADZE and M. SIMKSAYEV
Assistant Director DODO ABASHIDZE
Directed by SERGEI PARADJANOV
© 1985 Sovexportfilm © 2007 Ruscico