Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Mosfilm Film Concern – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
February 5, 2026
News editorial office
42
The Mosfilm film company continues its extensive work to study and systematize its priceless archive. This work has resulted in another significant discovery: three authentic bogatyr helmets created for the filming of the first Soviet widescreen fairytale, Ilya Muromets (1956), directed by Alexander Ptushko, have been discovered and officially attributed in the collections of the House of Costume and Props.
TARGETED SEARCH AND UNIQUE FIND
Identifying objects approaching 70 years old is a painstaking and complex process. The discovery of the helmets was the result of systematic work and the professional memory of the staff—in particular, Alla Oleneva, the leading costume designer at the House of Costume and Props, whose experience at Mosfilm spans decades.
Two helmets worn by Boris Andreyev as Ilya Muromets in the film, and one helmet belonging to Sergei Stolyarov's character, were found. As the artist emphasized, each helmet is unique, as it was created specifically for each character, taking into account their image and status. It should be added that the Mosfilm museum collection already holds the headdress—a princely crown—and the dress of Vasilisa, the wife of Ilya Muromets (played by Ninel Myshkova), which had previously been attributed. Therefore, five authentic items from the famous film are now known.
PRESERVATION, HISTORICAL ACCURACY AND CREATIVE SEARCH
The helmets, exemplary of the craftsmanship of the Mosfilm costume department in the mid-20th century, were made of metal. As Alla Oleneva explained, brass and aluminum (or duralumin) were commonly used at the time. The metal base was then skillfully painted to resemble gold, creating the effect of precious antique objects. The prince's crown, more complex in design, is adorned with brass plaques and beads and exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of the craftsmen.
Stills from the film "Ilya Muromets" (1956)
Despite their venerable age and extensive use during filming, experts consider the finds to be in a very good state of preservation. Alla Oleneva regrets that during the Soviet era, there was no deliberate effort to preserve costumes and props after filming was completed. Everything was often "consumed," used for other films or stored in storage. Therefore, any such find today is a great success.
Despite its fairytale genre, the film "Ilya Muromets" was distinguished by its commitment to historical and ethnographic accuracy in every detail. This credit goes, in part, to the outstanding costume designer Olga Semyonovna Kruchinina. According to Alla Oleneva, Kruchinina was a master craftsman who approached her work with the utmost responsibility.
"She took the production of her work very seriously. Before making anything, she studied historical materials… In other words, she was a true artist who couldn't afford to do anything roughly or 'by eye,'" Oleneva emphasized.
Thus, the heroic helmets are not simply a product of creative imagination, but the result of a deep study of ancient Russian art, traditions, and archaeological finds, filtered through the prism of cinematic vision.
SPECIAL STATUS: TRANSITION TO A PERSONAL FUND
All discovered items will be designated museum exhibits and will be kept under special control in a specially created character costume collection by Mosfilm. Collection curator Tatyana Stepanova provided detailed information about the new status of the finds and the principles of their management.
"These items are under special control. They are stored in a special way in a separate room… They are already of museum value because they are memorabilia – associated with the actors, directors, and costume designers. Items that have passed through the film set always retain the energy of the era, the talent of the artisans, and the memory," explained Tatyana Stepanova.
This means that the helmets from "Ilya Muromets," like other rarities in the collection, will no longer be used in current production. The priority now is preserving them for history, studying them with specialists, and displaying them to the public at themed exhibitions that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of famous films.
The work of identifying rarities in the extensive Mosfilm collections is ongoing and yielding new results. In addition to helmets, other iconic costumes and props have recently been identified. These include a vest and dress from the comedy "The Marriage of Balzaminov" (1964), trousers and several tailcoats worn by Sergei Bondarchuk's character in the epic film "War and Peace" (1966-67), and shirts worn by Aleksandr Demyanenko (Shurik) in the films "Operation Y and Shurik's Other Adventures" (1965) and "Ivan Vasilievich Changes Profession" (1973). Many of these costumes will also be added to the character collection.
Discovering and preserving material evidence of the filmmaking process is a crucial part of Mosfilm's cultural mission. Each such item becomes a link connecting modern viewers to the history of Russian cinema, allowing them to better understand the scale and meticulousness of the work behind the scenes. And today, anyone can see the result of this labor—Alexander Ptushko's legendary film "Ilya Muromets"—in all its epic grandeur.
The restored digital version of the film in 4K format is available for viewing on all official online platforms of the Mosfilm film concern (YouTube, RUTUBE, VK video).
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.