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.
Yul Brynner
as Captain Stoloff
Eli Wallach
as Kifke
Jane Birkin
as Naomi
Lainie Kazan
as Estusha
David Opatoshu
as Schloime Kradnik
Serge Gainsbourg
as Sigmund
Henri Serre
as Mendel (as Henri Sera)
Linda Veras
as Countess Grabowsky
Marilù Tolo
as Manka
Branko Pleša
as Lt. Vishinsky
Mort Shuman
as le pianiste
