List of Bulgarian films of the 1950s explained

A list of the most notable films produced in Bulgaria during the 1950s ordered by year of release. For an alphabetical list of articles on Bulgarian films see .

Number and awards

Bulgaria produced 39 films, either alone or with other countries, during the 1950s. Four of thоse (Geroite na Shipka in co-production with the Soviet Union, Tochka parva, Zemya and Sterne in co-production with East Germany) got a Golden palm nomination at the Cannes Film Festival. Geroite na Shipka (1955), Pod Igoto (1952) and Trevoga (1951) went on to become some of the most viewed Bulgarian films. Geroite na Shipka got 5,8 mill views and ranks second in the all-time Bulgarian rang-list, Pod Igoto is 5th with 5 mill views and Trevoga – 10th with 3,8 mill.[1]

Notable actors

The most notable actors from the period were Ivan Dimov ("Kalin orelat", "Pod igoto", "Geratzite"), Konstantin Kisimov ("Kalin orelat", "Pod igoto", "Tochka parva", "Geroite na Shipka") and Apostol Karamitev ("Pod igoto", "Geroite na Shipka", "Lyubimetz 13").

List

TitleTitle (Latin)
English
DirectorLengthCastNotesIMDB link
1950
Калин ОрелътKalin Orelat
Kalin the eagle
Boris Borozanov89 minIvan Dimov, Boris Ganchev, Mariya Yasnikova and Konstantin KisimovBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305717/
1951
ТревогаTrevoga
Alarm
Zahari Zhandov115 minStefan Savov and Nadya StanislavovaBlack and White drama about a Bulgarian family's tragedy during World War IIhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283073/
Утро над родинатаUtro nad Rodinata
Dawn Over the Homeland
Kamen Kalchev82 minLubomir Kabakchiyev, Apostol Karamitev, Georgi Georgiev-Getz and Rangel VulchanovBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234958/
1952
ДанкаDankaKrastyu Belev83 minMilka Tuykova, Ivanka Dimitrova and Miroslav MindovBlack and White Dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306711/
Наша земяNasha zemya
Our land
Anton Marinovich and Stefan Surchadzhiev103 minApostol Karamitev, Milka Tuykova, Georgi Georgiev-Getz, Iossif Surchadzhiev and Lubomir KabakchiyevBlack and White Dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253291/
Под иготоPod igoto
Under the Yoke
Dako Dakovski118 minMiroslav Mindov, Lili Popivanova, Petar Dimitrov, Ivan Dimov and Konstantin KisimovBlack and White Drama based on Ivan Vazov's novel of the same namehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234484/
1954
ГраницаGranitza
The border
Nikola Minchev21 minKunka Baeva, Ivan Bratanov and Georgi Georgiev-GochetoShort filmhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0331507/
Песен за човекаPesen za choveka
Song of Man
Borislav Sharaliev111 minDinko Dinev, Ivan Bratanov, Apostol Karamitev and Leo ConfortiBlack and White film based on the famous Nikola Vaptsarov poemhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234455/
СептемврийциSeptemvriytzi
Septembrists (The Heroes of September)
Zahari Zhandov117 minAsparuh Temelkov and Boris GanchevBlack and White drama dedicated to the uprising, which broke out in Bulgaria in September 1923https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282957/
СнахаSnaha
Daughter-In-Law
Anton Marinovich116 minPetar Dimitrov, Margarita Duparinova and Leo ConfortiBlack and White drama based on novelhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311828/
1955
Героите на ШипкаGeroite na Shipka
Shipka Heroes
Sergei Vasilyev137 min (123 min in the Soviet Union)Ivan Pereverzev, Viktor Avdyushko and Apostol KaramitevBlack and White historical film about the Battle of Shipka Pass. Best director award and a Golden palm nomination at the Cannes Film Festival.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047021/
Неспокоен пътNespokoen pat
Troubled Road, a Man Decides
Dako Dakovski116 minIvan Bratanov, Tzvetana Nikolova, Georgi Georgiev-Getz and Petar DimitrovBlack and White drama based on a novel by Stoyan Daskalovhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253307/
ПразникPraznik
Feast
Dimitar Petrov24 minOlga Kircheva, Mihail Dzhunov and Leo Confortia short black and white comedyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492731/
1956
Две победиDve pobedi
Two Victories
Borislav Sharaliev92 minNikola Popov, Assen Milanov, Nikolina Lekova and Rangel VulchanovBlack and White musical comedyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289934/
ДимитровградциDimitrovgradtsy
People of Dimitrovgrad
Nikola Korabov and Ducho Mundrov109 minGeorgi Kaloyanchev, Mariya Rusalieva and Ivan DimovBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172322/
Една българкаEdna balgarka
A Bulgarian Woman
Nikolay Borovishki22 minPenka Vasileva and Lyubomir Bobchevskishort black and white film based on Ivan Vazov's short novelhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0331478/
Екипажът на НадеждаEkipazhat na Nadezhda
The Crew from Nadezhda
Kiril Ilinchev95 minNikola Marinov and Veselin Marinovblack and white dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309555/
Следите оставатSledite ostavat
The Traces Remain
Petar Vasilev100 minStefan Danailov and Vera Dragostinovablack and white adventure comedy based on Pavel Vezhinov's novelhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253718/
Това се случи на улицатаTova se sluchi na ulitzata
It Happened in the Street
Yanko Yankov87 minApostol Karamitev, Petrana Lambrinova and Leo Confortiblack and white comedyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290093/
Точка първаTochka parva
Item One
Boyan Danovski77 minRumyana Chokoyska, Zheni Bozhinova and Konstantin KisimovDrama — received a Golden palm nomination at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278098/
1957
Години за любовGodini za lyubov
Years of Love
Yanko Yankov77 minStefan Dobrev, Antoniya Yaneva, Nevena Kokanova, Ivan Andonov and Georgi Kaloyanchevblack and white comedyhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289962/
Животът си тече тихо...Zhivotat si teche tiho...
Life Flows Slowly by...
Hristo Ganev and Binka Zhelyazkova120 minBogomil Simeonov, Georgi Georgiev-Getz, Emilia Radeva and Ivan Bratanovblack and white dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177411/
ЗемяZemya
A Land (Earth)
Zahari Zhandov102 minBogomil Simeonov, Slavka Slavova and Ginka Stanchevablack and white drama based on the novel of Elin Pelin; Golden palm nomination at the 1957 Cannes Film Festivalhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279526/
ЛабаканLabakanVáclav Krška75 minEduard Cupák, Karel Fiala and Alexander MilkovskiCzechoslovakia/Bulgaria co-production based on the fairytale of Wilhelm Hauffhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172697/
Легенда за любовтаLegenda za lyubovta
Legend of Love
Václav Krška82 minApostol Karamitev, Emilia Radeva and Frantisek SmolíkCzechoslovakia/Bulgaria fantasy co-production based on Nazim Hikmet's playhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339290/
Тайната вечеря на седмацитеTaynata vecherya na sedmatzite
Secret Supper of the Sedmak Family
Dako Dakovski101 minIvan Bratanov, Nikolay Doychev and Maria ShopovaBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307551/
Урокът на историятаA Lesson in HistoryLev Arnshtam and Hristo Piskov91 minStefan Savov, Tzvetana Arnaudova, Apolon Yachnitzkiy and Gennadi YudinSoviet Union/Bulgaria co-production drama about Georgi Dimitrov and Leipzig Trialhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170741/
1958
ГерацитеGeratzite
The Gerak Family
Anton Marinovich96 minGeorgi Stamatov, Ivan Dimov and Maria ShopovaBlack and White drama based on the novel by Elin Pelinhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289712/
ГолемановGolemanovKiril Ilinchev84 minNikola Popov, Andrey Chaprazov and Penka IkonomovaBlack and White comedy based on the novel by Stefan Kostovhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306908/
Законът на моретоZakonat na moreto
The Law of the Sea
Yakim Yakimov96 minGeorgi Georgiev-Getz, Bogomil Simeonov and Ani DamyanovaBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0171938/
Любимец 13Lyubimetz 13
Favourite No. 13
Vladimir Yanchev89 minApostol Karamitev, Ginka Stancheva and Georgi PartsalevBlack and White comedy about twin brothers (an excellent footballer and an undependable gambler) that switch places. One of the most beloved Bulgarian films ever.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279208/
На малкия островNa malkiya ostrov
On a Small Island
Rangel Vulchanov94 minIvan Kondov, Konstantin Kotsev and Ivan AndonovBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051972/
Ребро АдамовоRebro Adamovo
Adam's Rib
Anton Marinovichn/aEmilia Radeva, Georgi Popov and Georgi KaloyanchevBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279363/
Сиромашка радостSiromashka radost
Poor Man's Joy
Anton Marinovich84 minIvan Dimov, Georgi Stamatov, Vyara Kovacheva, Kosta Tsonev, Ivan Bratanov and Vera DragostinovaBlack and White drama based on a number of Elin Pelin storieshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343005/
Хайдушка клетваHaydushka kletva
The Oath of the Haidouks
Petar Vasilev98 minApostol Karamitev, Ginka Stancheva, Konstantin Kisimov and Ivan BratanovBlack and White drama based on a novel by Orlin Vasilyevhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309661/
1959
В навечерието (Russian)Nakanune
On the Eve
Vladimir Petrov88 minLubomir Kabakchiyev, Irina Milopolskaya and Boris LivanovBlack and White Soviet Union/Bulgaria co-production based on the novel by Ivan Turgenevhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053096/
Командирът на отрядаKomandirat na otryada
The Commander of the Detachment
Ducho Mundrov108 minKosta Tsonev, Ivan Dimov, Tzvetana Nikolova and Ivan BratanovBlack and White dramahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309776/
Stars (Sterne)Звезди (Cyrillic)
Stars
Konrad WolfBulgaria:103 min/Germany:92 minSasha Krusharska, Jürgen Frohriep, Georgi Naumov, Leo Conforti, Grigor Vachkov and Itzhak FinziEast Germany/Bulgaria co-production. Won Grand prize of the jury and got a Golden palm nomination at the Cannes Film Festival.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053306/
МалкатаMalkata
The Little Girl
Nikola Korabov95 minRumyana Kefirova, Margarita Ilieva, Ivan Dimov and Georgi KaloyanchevDrama based on a novel by Lyuben Stanevhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172766/

References

General
Specific

Notes and References

  1. Book: Yanakiev (Янакиев) . Alexander (Александър) . 2000 . Българско кино. Енциклопедия. . Bulgarian cinema. Encyclopedia. . Info and statistics – Number of Viewers . Bulgarian . Sofia . Titra (Титра) . 978-954-90486-2-9 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080602125639/http://www.titra.net/news/zriteli.htm . 2008-06-02 . 11 June 2015.