Finest, the Brave Falcon

In ancient Russia, Finist is a simple plowman who tames the land with his falcon. The falcon warns him of approaching enemies who want to capture Russia. Finist drives back the invaders with courage, earning a reputation as a bogatyr-defender.

Kartaus-Red Mustache, a sorcerer, resents Finist’s growing power and orders Kastryuk the werewolf to eliminate the hero. Kastryuk infiltrates the frontier disguised as a merchant to slip the invaders inside. His deception is spotted by jocular old women and he’s shoved into the pantry with Anfisa.

A voivode and his druzhina prepare to defend the outpost from a raid. They dispatch the city clerk Yashka to search for Finist. Along the road, Yashka meets Alyonushka, and they also encounter Agathon and Anfisa, whose fear of the monster colors their actions.

An old woman named Neninla proclaims that a wish can be made on a fern and could be fulfilled tonight. She warns the curse of the bewitched monster can be undone if, under the monster’s guise, he is loved by a fair maiden.

The group debates what kind of wish to make and whether to trust the fern’s power. Anfisa angrily tells Agathon to disappear, creating tension among the travelers. Alyonushka resumes the journey with the others toward Finist.

During the raid, the monster breaches the outpost and rampages through. Alyonushka, recognizing Finist in the beast, covers him with a red cloak she wanted to gift. The act helps break the curse, and Finist begins to become a man again as he joins the fight against the invaders.

Kastryuk offers Anfisa a magic comb to send the hero to sleep and carry out his plan. Anfisa untangles Kastryuk’s hands and sticks the comb into Finist’s hair, and he falls into a deep sleep. Kastryuk then transports Anfisa and the sleeping Finist to Kartaus’ den.

Alyonushka heads to rescue Finist, with Yashka protecting her. Jocular old women appear in Kartaus’ den and help guide them to Finist’s cell. They free Finist from captivity and restore his resolve.

With Finist freed, he returns to his druzhina to drive the remaining enemies away. He sends Alyonushka and Yashka home and prepares to confront Kartaus directly. The hero steels himself for a final confrontation.

Finist corners Kartaus and defeats him, ending the sorcerer’s threat over the frontier. The outpost is saved and the invaders are repelled. The people celebrate their bogatyr’s triumph.

Alyonushka and Yashka return to the outpost after the peril, and order is restored. Finist’s heroism is reaffirmed as he continues to guard Russia. The fern-prophecy lingers as a reminder of the magic that once threatened them.

With the threat gone, Finist remains at the frontier with his falcon by his side. The romance between Alyonushka and Finist deepens through shared peril. The frontier stays vigilant for future dangers.