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Soviet Hollywood – cult films shot in Crimea

Soviet Hollywood

Soviet Hollywood – cult films shot in Crimea


Amazing nature of Crimea is destined to be a dream of many generations of filmmakers! Of course, the movies are filmed on the Crimean peninsula and now. But in Soviet times, it was such a “Hollywood” of the Union. There dozens of films were shot. And Crimea “played” not only itself, but also portrayed foreign countries. For example, America in Headless Horseman by Vladimir Weinstock, or Ancient Jerusalem in Master and Margarita by Vladimir Bortko. In general, the peninsula had a chance to portray all continents in the movies. Well, except Antarctica.
Here you find the most popular movies that were filmed in Soviet Hollywood.

Scarlet Sails
Scarlet Sails

Scarlet Sails


The film, based on Alexander Grin’s novel, was filmed in 1961 by Alexander Ptushko. Filming took place primarily in Alupka, Yalta and Koktebel. The story is a romantic fantasy, where 16-year-old Anastasiya Vertinskaya played the role of Assol and her beloved Arthur Grey was played by Vasily Lanovoy. Grey’s ship with scarlet sails was actually the training ship Alfa from the Rostov Naval School.

Headless Horseman

Headless Horseman

Headless Horseman


The Headless Horseman, based on the eponymous novel by Mayne Reid, was filmed in 1973. It was a joint production of the USSR and Cuba. Film director is Vladimir Weinstock.

Ordinary Miracle

Ordinary Miracle

Ordinary Miracle


Ordinary Miracle by Erast Garin, based on a Eugene Schwartz’s play, was released in 1964. Part of the filming took place in the Vorontsov Palace (Alupka).

Mio, my Mio

Mio, my Mio

Mio, my Mio


Mio, My Mio, joint Soviet-Norwegian-Swedish movie, was filmed in 1987.

Blue Bird

Blue Bird

Blue Bird


Blue bird is the only joint Soviet-American Fairytale (1975), based on the play by Maurice Maeterlinck. Elizabeth Taylor played the title role in the film by George Cukor.

Aladdin’s Magic Lamp

Aladdins Magic Lamp

Aladdin’s Magic Lamp


Aladdin’s Magic Lamp is a film of 1966 based on the tale from the book A Thousand and One Nights. “Baghdad” was built in the Crimea. Film director is Boris Rytsarev.

Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Occupation

Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Occupation

Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Occupation


Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Occupation (1973) directed by Leonid Gaidai, is a film based on Mikhail Bulgakov’s play Ivan Vasilyevich. Yakin’s musical performance took place at the Yalta embankment, Crimea.

Caucasian Captive or the New Adventures of Shurik

Caucasian Captive or the New Adventures of Shurik

Caucasian Captive or the New Adventures of Shurik


Leonid Gaidai’s film was released in 1966. Oddly, the Crimea in this film got the role of the Caucasus.

Sannikov Land

Sannikov Land

Sannikov Land


Sannikov Land is a film shot in 1972-1973 (based on the novel by Vladimir Obruchev). In Nikitsky cleft, Crimea directors Leonid Popov and Albert Mkrtchyan filmed a few scenes.

Amphibian Man

Amphibian Man

Amphibian Man


Amphibian Man, based on the Alexander Belyaev’s novel, was filmed in 1961 by Vladimir Chebotarev and Gennady Kazansky. Much of the filming took place at the Balaklava bay in the Crimean peninsula. The directors chose this place because of clear water.

Three plus two

Three plus two

Three plus two


Three Plus Two is a film of 1963 based on Sergei Mikhalkov’s play. The comedy by Henry Hovhannisyan was filmed in the Crimean village of Novy Svet (near Mount Falcon), Sudak embankment and Alushta.
Source: www.kp.ru