Mazeppa, Folk Hero of the Ukraine(1919)

Mazeppa, Folk Hero of the Ukraine is a historical drama following Ivan Mazeppa, a Ukrainian page serving at the Polish court. When the young wife of an elderly count discovers she's pregnant with Mazeppa's child, the enraged nobleman exacts brutal revenge: he ties Mazeppa naked to a wild horse and releases it into the wilderness. The film chronicles Mazeppa's harrowing journey across treacherous terrain, where he faces near-fatal encounters but ultimately survives and returns to his native Ukraine. This tale of passion, punishment, and resilience draws from the legendary exploits of one of Ukraine's most celebrated historical figures, blending romance with the raw brutality of 17th-century Eastern European politics.