Batmanova, once a serf, sets Paris aflame with her singing and now returns to the court of the Prince in 19th-century Russia. The Prince wants Batmanova for himself, but she loves a young nobleman who is technically still a serf because his papers have been lost.

A superb Russian art film transcribed from Tchaikovsky's great opera. The photography, the acting, the sets and costumes are very artistically done. There are not enough opera films set in real locations as this one is. Some people may object to the singers' voices being dubbed over non-operatic actors, but the lead actors are so beautiful and convincing that their presence adds greatly to the romantic atmosphere -- this film would not be the same without them. If you love Tchaikovsky's music then you will love this film. Roman Tikhominov directed two other excellent opera films set in real locations (not stage performances): Queen of Spades (1960) and Prince Igor (1970), but Eugene Onegin (1958) is the best of all.

鲍罗丁同名歌剧的电影版，根据古罗斯史诗《伊戈尔出征记》改编。