Romance of a Horsethief

Since time immemorial, the simple-minded boisterous people of Malava, a small Polish town near the border of imperial Russia, have lived on horse-stealing, horse-trading and horse-smuggling. Life changes abruptly when a Russian garrison, commanded by Captain Stoloff, occupies the town and, in the name of the Czar, requisitions all the horses for the Russian-Japanese War. With no more horses to steal, Kifke cannot afford to marry Estusha and all the young men in the village are likely to be incorporated into the Russian army. This state of affairs cannot continue and Zavill will take care of things.

Cast

Yul Brynner

Captain Stoloff

Eli Wallach

Kifke

Jane Birkin

Naomi

Lainie Kazan

Estusha

David Opatoshu

Schloime Kradnik

Serge Gainsbourg

Sigmund

Henri Serre

Mendel (as Henri Sera)

Linda Veras

Countess Grabowsky

Marilù Tolo

Manka

Branko Pleša

Lt. Vishinsky