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Sergei Dreiden, Maria Kuznetsova, Leonid Mozgovoy, David Giorgobiani, Alexandr Chaban ... see more see more... , Maksim Sergeyev , Valery Gergiev , Oleg N. Yefremov , Aleksandr Sokurov , Vadim Lobanov , Svetlana Smirnova , Mikhail Dorofeyev , Viktor Mikhailov , Sergei Romanyuk , Yuri Orlov , Irina Osnovina , Valentina Kasyanova , Igor Volkov , Alexandr Orlov , Alexandr Trofimov , Anna Aleksakhina , Artashes Aleksanyan , Vladimir Baranov , Olga Belyavskaya , Valentin Bukin , Konstantin Demidov , Anatoliy Dubanov , Nikolai Fedortsov , Yevgeny Filatov , Valery Filonov , Nikolai Gravshin , Natalya Kadochnikova , Olga Kalmykova , Tamara Kolesnikova , Valery Kozinets , Alexei Krymov , Mariya Lavrova , Sergei Losev , Sergei Muchenikov , Sergei Nadporozhniy , Nataliya Nikulenko , Pavel Novikov , Alla Oding , Alla Osipenko , Oleg Palmov , Yelena Rufanova , Anatoliy Shvedersky , Boris Smolkin , Valery Smolyakov , Boris Sokolov , Vladimir Solovyov , Anya Solovyova , Svetlana Svirko , Irina Tychinina , Valentina Yegorenkova , Anya Yekaterininskaya , Lev Yeliseev , Yulian Zhurin , Kirill Ulyanov , Ilya Shakunov , Mikhail Piotrovsky , Oleg Khmelnitsky , Artiom Strelnikov , Tamara Kurenkova , Yelena Spiridonova , Konstantin Anisimov , Alexey Barabash , Svetlana Gaitan , Vadim Guschin , Kirill Dateshidze , Vladimir Lisetsky , Alexander Malnykin , Kirill Miller , Alexander Razbash , Vladimir Sevastyanikhin , Jury Khomutyansky , Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra , State Hermitage Orchestra , Yury Ageikin , Alexander Andreyev , Dmitry Alexandrov , Alexander Alexeyev , Andrey Arshinnikov , Ismat Ashurov , Dmitry Bekoyev , Vladimir Belovolsky , Alexander Balonin , Galina Burkina , Suren Vartanov , Sergey Vasilyev , Roman Gabriya , Ivan Guskov , Michail Yegorov , Olga Yeliseyeva , Alexey Yemelyanov , Dmitry Zelnitsky , Dmitry Zebrov , Arseny Ivankovich , Yefim Yoffe , Svetlana Kushakova , Yury Kalugin , Michail Karavayev , Victor Kraslavsky , Vladimir Cknat , Andrey Kovel , Andrey Letnikov , Michail Legkov , Konstantin Lukonin , Konstantin Mukhin , Yefim Malkov , Igor Okrepilov , Ekaterina Polyakova , Yelene Pavlikova , Sergey Remizov , Ruslan Sadykov , Julia Sergeyeva , Dzhafar Rasulov , Michail Colovyov , Semyon Sytnik , Darya Khudyakova , Vladimir Chernyshov , Anatoly Chernigin , Ekaterina Shimelyeva , Andrey Schepochkin , Anya Antonelly , Masha Libova , Ira Lebedeva , Katya Ponomareva , Anya Penny , Pavel Titov , Polina Uranova , Sasha Shapovalova , Sergey Agafonov , Alexander Anchukov , Shamil Baltacheyev , Yegor Bakulin , Alexander Bassov , Mark Gavrilov , Natalya German-Tzarkova , Yekaterina Gorokhovskaya , Svetlana Gnedina , Anna Gorodko , Helena Gorbunova , Alexander Dezhenov , Maxim Doronin , Yekaterina Dronova , Julia Zhuravlyova , Yury Zagrebnev , Sergey Yelikov , Sergey Katyukha , Valentin Kuznetsov , Alexander Kulikov , Alexandra Kulikova , Alexander Klotko , Alisa Kondratyeva , Marianna Kostyushkina , Dmitry Lemeshev , Oksana Klotko , Margarita Lukina , Oksana Merzlyakova , Maria Mescheryakova , Artur Mkrtchan , Alexey Oding , Kirill Petrov , Rodion Prikhodko , Asya Razhouk , Andrey Rodimov , Julia Rudina , Yelena Simonova , Vanda Starodubtseva , Irina Ternovova , Svetlana Ulyanova , Tatyana Uchayeva , Alexey Fedkin , Boris Khasanov , Alexander Tsybulsky , Vsevolod Tsurilo , Rasina Tsydulko , Irina Tsyplukhina , Alexander Shaporov , Asya Shirshina , Asya Shibarova , Julia Shubareva , Pavel Yanutsh , Sergei Dontsov , Mariya Kuznetsova , Aleksandr Chaban , Serguei Dontsov

Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov broke boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian Ark. It's the first feature-length narrative film shot in a single take (on d... read more read more...igital video, using a specially designed disc instead of tape). Russian Ark is shot from the point-of-view of an unseen narrator, as he explores the museum and travels through Russian history. The audience sees through his eyes as he witnesses Peter the Great (Maksim Sergeyev) abusing one of his generals; Catherine the Great (Maria Kuznetsova) desperately searching for a bathroom; and, in the grand finale, the sumptuous Great Royal Ball of 1913. The narrator is eventually joined by a sarcastic and eccentric 19th century French Marquis (Sergey Dreiden), who travels with him throughout the huge grounds, encountering various historical figures and viewing the legendary artworks on display. While the narrator only interacts with the Marquis (he seems to be invisible to all the other inhabitants), the Marquis occasionally interacts with visitors and former residents of the museum. The film was obviously shot in one day, but the cast and crew rehearsed for months to time their movements precisely with the flow of the camera while capturing the complex narrative, with elaborate costumes from different periods, and several trips out to the exterior of the museum. Tilman Büttner, the director of photography, was responsible for capturing it all in one single Steadicam shot. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

8,185 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

93 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Aleksandr Sokurov

Release Date: December 13, 2002

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DVD Release Date: September 9, 2003

Stats: 933 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (933)

  • spielberg00
    February 20, 2012
    spielberg00
    Strangely captivating Russian fantasy-drama begins with an unknown man regaining consciousness without knowledge of his location. It is revealed that nobody can see him except a man dressed in black, who in turn doesn't know where he is, either. It's not long before the two men... read more learn they are in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, through which the former man must move and regain his knowledge of present day Europe and Russia.

    The film, intially released at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, is made up of one continuous, 90-minute shot. Aside from its taste of pure originality and concentration, RUSSIAN ARK has to offer some of the most beautiful moments ever. The combination of gracious cinematography, glorious classical music, and colorful costume designs will dazzle without a doubt.

    Even if you don't know a word of Russian, you'd get the same experience from watching without enabling subtitles. RUSSIAN ARK may certainly have a plot, but after the first ten minutes or so, it is barely propelled by its story, and rather by its avant-garde style for capturing art, beauty, history, and music. It's possible to grow intermittently bored with such an unusual film, but it's captivating from the very start, and therefore hard to permanently give up on.

    RUSSIAN ARK was an endlessly interesting film, in its plot and style. The fact that a cinematic project of such ingenuity was actually accomplished is unbelievable, and any true film fanatic would love it from beginning to end. Looking from both sides, it was not enough otherwise, making it useless for everyone else.
  • moonrivers
    January 25, 2012
    moonrivers
    The ark here is the famous Hermitage of St.Petersburg, mysteriously afloat on the sea of time and of Russian history. The camera glidingly takes us through the opulent splendour of the great halls, lingering ever so over the detail in the architecture or some exquisite furniture,... read more and we see those walkways and rooms peopled with the souls that must have tarried there before (as in a dream ... for they neither see nor hear us). And so a history lesson, a memorial if you will, a toast to what was Mother Russia (and not that whole Soviet business, what was that?), with a eye to what more may come.
  • smith44
    December 29, 2009
    smith44
    One of the most extraordinary films I have ever seen. Shot I one breath as they say with 2,000 actors, 3 orchestras, 300 years of Russian History.
  • puffchunk
    October 16, 2009
    puffchunk
    Neat idea...the whole continuous shot thing, but it failed to keep my attention
  • McKittrick
    August 5, 2009
    McKittrick
    A truly astonishing piece of cinerama that can only ever be described in over-enthusiastic superlatives and even then I would fear of doing it a disservice. It's (literal) sweeping majesty and glorious conceit makes me weep sweet tears of cinephiliac joy
  • rubystevens
    November 26, 2008
    rubystevens
    this must have been amazing on a big screen :( a 90 minute one shot trip through the hermitage museum with a cast of thousands from various historical periods; it's surreal at first but soon won me over. it's completely gorgeous and ends like a dream with the last imperial ball... read more at the winter palace, 1913. i'm sure it's not for everyone but it's a feast for art lovers and history buffs as well as being a full-length feature film accomplished in a single take, on the 4th try i believe
  • ceWEBrity
    March 11, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    I feel terrible about giving the movie this rating, considering it's an unbelievable technical accomplishment, but unless you're a history buff or a cinematographer there's really not much to offer here.

    It really is amazing how much effort went into this film, though. It's a m... read moreystery to me how they managed to get all this right in one take. I only wish Russian Ark was as engaging as it was superbly-crafted.
  • flickfever
    July 5, 2006
    flickfever
    This movie is a marvel to watch. Touted as being shot in one take, this film travels across hundreds of years of Russian history in the Hermitage. It's an amazing spectacle, what with carefully choreographed sequences and dazzling set and costume design. Definitely a must-see! Th... read moree movie is in Russian with English subtitles.
  • fb1142797643
    March 29, 2011
    fb1142797643
    My reaction to "Russian Ark" reminded me of my reaction to another Russian film I saw a few months ago, "The Color of Pomegranates." Both are stylistically radical works where I enjoyed the splendid imagery, but felt like I was missing the nuances of its historical references. In... read more the case of "Russian Ark," its visual pleasures come in two flavors: the architecture and art treasures of the Hermitage museum, and the film's remarkable feat of being shot in a single, extended Steadicam shot. It's mind-boggling to even imagine the planning which went into the choreography between the camera's winding path, the enormous cast (including three orchestras) and the synchronization of all the various events and conversations. Apparently, the action required four takes to come out right.

    After one assimilates the miracle of the film's construction, its intricate content becomes the next hurdle. Essentially, the surreal "plot" involves an apparent ghost (and muttering narrator) weaving through the rooms and halls of the Hermitage, usually following a single character who represents the Marquis de Custine, a 19th-century Frenchman known for his travel writing. The camera's perspective is entirely through the eyes of the narrator as he kibbutzes with the Marquis. So the pair wanders through the museum, surveying the displayed masterpieces while encountering each room's contrasting sets of people (mostly aristocrats and soldiers snatched from varying periods of history). Appearances of Catherine the Great, Peter the Great, Nicholas II and his notorious daughter Anastasia are readily absorbed, but many other characters (some portrayed by the actual living persons) will require a trip to Google. The film does not have an introductory tone, and instead presumes the viewer has pre-existing familiarity with the material.

    "Russian Ark" is a heady challenge, and I couldn't help but wish the Marquis hadn't been so irritating and socially awkward. He is not attractive, and is clad in a drab, black outfit which usually comes off underdressed compared with the settings he "crashes." A more charming guide would have made the film much easier to swallow.
  • michaelneumann
    February 8, 2004
    michaelneumann
    Guess what Bill Murray & Scarlett Johanssen movie I just bought today? :cool:


    Some things to remember in the whackiness (or the extreme lack thereof) with everyday life:


    Hate paralyzes life; Love releases it.
    Hate confuses life; Love harmonizes it.
    Hate darkens life; Love... read more illuminates it.

    Choose love over anger. Choose compassion over condemnation. Choose action over inaction. Time is not our enemy. Our choices are. Make your choices lead to who you will become.


    [size=1]I swear, there was something else I was gonna write (a good one too), but I'm drawing many blanks right now. And I just said it to myself not 5 minutes ago!! Cursed memory![/size]



    So um...how's everybody doin'? Good, I imagine. Now, for a small dose of fun, how 'bout I list off all the beverages I've had in the last 24 hours?
    -Water (exciting)
    -OJ (Minute Maid; not that canned crap)
    -Milk (the leftover after my bowls of Waffle Crisp, Grape Nuts or Frosted Mini-Wheats)
    -Chai Latte (from Starbucks - OK, it's my first trip to the place this year; cut me some slack)
    -Corona (for my hour of boob-tubing last night)
    -Water (I didn't list this one already, did I?)
    -Orange Juice (just trying to fill up slots now)
    -Water (I swear I just wrote this)

    Since this is such an exciting topic, what about you guys? What sorts of beverages have you guzzled down in the last 24 hours?

View All Russian Ark Reviews

Critic Reviews

Robert Denerstein
July 3, 2003
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

Might well be the first real masterpiece of the 21st Century.

Roger Moore
June 13, 2003
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

A marvel of a film that makes the Hermitage its star.

Eric Harrison
June 5, 2003
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

This is a stunning film, a one-of-a-kind tour de force. Full Review

Chris Vognar
May 15, 2003
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

The camera work is fluid, the concept intriguing. Full Review

Bill Muller
May 15, 2003
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

With unmatched bravado, Sokurov shows scores of celebrants streaming from the ballroom past his camera with nary a misstep.

Steven Rea
April 17, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Even with its deft parade of dressed-up actors, real human emotion is hard to find.

Joe Baltake
March 21, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Anyone who professes to love movies should see Alexander Sokurov's Russian Ark. Full Review

Wesley Morris
February 28, 2003
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Russian Ark does for the history-blind what any halfway decent drug movie can do to nonjunkies: pushes a mean contact high. Full Review

Jennie Punter
February 21, 2003
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

The experience of watching Russian Ark is like being caught inside another person's dream. Full Review

Kenneth Baker
February 14, 2003
Kenneth Baker, San Francisco Chronicle

Merely as a technical, logistical feat, Russian Ark marks a cinematic milestone. Full Review

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Russian Ark Trivia

  • Which movie is renowned for including more than 2000 actors and actresses over the span of its 96-minute running time -- all in one single continuous shot?  Answer »
  • '2000 cast members, 3 orchestras, 33 rooms, 300 years, ALL IN ONE TAKE' Is the tagline to which film?  Answer »
  • What is so special about the camera work in Aleksandr Sokurov's "Russian Ark"?  Answer »
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