This recording of Boris Godunov, conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, became the soundtrack of a film by Polish director Andrzej Żuławski. The star of both, charismatic Italian bass Ruggero Raimondi, praised Rostropovich's decision to use Mussorgsky's own version of the score by saying: "I always believe that genius expresses itself with simplicity." Rostropovich's wife, Galina Vishnevskaya sings the Polish princess Marina Mniszek, also providing a cameo as the Hostess. Paul Plishka, an American of Ukrainian heritage, is the solemn Pimen, while veteran tenor Nicola Gedda sings the Simpleton, leaving his erstwhile role of the Pretender (Grigoriy) to the impassioned Vyacheslav Polozov.

Cast:
- Boris Godunov: Ruggero Raimondi
- Grigori/Dimitri: Vyacheslav Polozov
- Pimen: Paul Plishka
- Marina Mniszech: Galina Vishnevskaya
- Rangoni: Nikita Strorojev
- Varlaam: Romuald Tesarowicz
- Misail: Misha Raitzin
- Prince Shuysky: Kenneth Riegel
- Fyodor: Mathew Adam Fish
- Kseniya: Catherine Dubosc
- The Nurse: Mira Kazai
- Andrey Shchelkalov: Lajos Miller
- A Simpleton: Nicolai Gedda