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Russian Ark
Russian Ark
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Russian Ark

Russian Ark

2002
Drama, Mystery
1h 39m
Told in one fluid shot, a tale which floats like a dreamlike journey through the majestic spaces of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, engaging real and imagined characters from Russian and European history. The nameless protagonist, a 19th-century French diplomat, guides the audience through a lost, sumptuous dream that was the Enlightenment period. The film, staged among some of the Western Art tradition's greatest masterpieces, climaxes in a pageant of color, motion, and music... (imdb)

Russian Ark

2002
Drama, Mystery
1h 39m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 60.11% from 1115 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1120)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 20 Nov 2007
90
93rd
It's unbelievable that they managed to pull off a single-continuous-take feature length film with over 2000 actors, 3 orchestras, and through 33 rooms. It's lovely, too. I only wish that I had enough insight into Russian culture to more fully appreciate it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
25
7th
Gimmick film. Just as when I visit a museum or art gallery I sometimes eschew the headphones on offer to guide my way through, so too I would prefer to make my own way round the Hermitage, rather than find myself chained to this particular host.
Rated 05 Feb 2019
86
92nd
It's not the first, nor the last to take single shot lengths to extremes, but "Russian Ark" is the first movie to own it, to make it part of its identity. This movie is an ethereal, technical marvel, but it's also an inpenitrable history lesson with an opacity and ambiguity that would leave Tarkovsky scratching his head. I often have a penchent to frown upon arty movies, preferring the bluntness of Hollywood at large, but this one pressed all the right buttons, what can I say?
Rated 16 Sep 2009
70
66th
I was mostly in awe of the technique (the famous single take), rather than whatever the heck this was about, which isn't really supposed to be the point of a film. I guess what I'm saying is that a "Making of Russian Ark" documentary would be more interesting than the actual feature.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
65
25th
The level of preparation required to coordinate the continuous take is impressive, and the visual splendor of the museum coupled with the intricate period customes is a feast for the eyes. But I feel that the film is servicing the technique and not the other way around. The concept is actually quite clever, but in execution it fails to inspire. The novelty wore off after about 20 minutes, then I was fighting boredom until the ending, which is lovely and has some emotional resonance to it.
Rated 23 Jul 2015
84
91st
Sure it's a gimmick, but at the same time it works as a movie as well - the unstoppable, unpausable nature of history, the clash (and mutual admiration) between art and violence, between Russia and Asia and Europe, between images of what is and what ought to be... The experience is in the experience itself, and the narrator can't stand outside of it, just wince or yearn at what he is part of.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
50
43rd
Incredible technical achievement, marred by an intolerably artsy approach to history lessons, passing the point where you know that you don't know what they're talking about - and you know that you don't want to know.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
70
55th
I was insanely impressed with the technical aspect of the film. I'm a sucker for long takes, so the fact that it was done in one with so many actors was absolutely mindblowing. Too bad the guide character was rather annoying and his musings added little to the film. More than half of his dialogue seemed irrelevant, and I would have preferred to get a more involving history lesson. Now, scenes just play out and we're only partly aware of what happened and why it might have been important. Shame.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
65
26th
A compromise, this film is a masterpiece in artistic achievement and a dull bore for probably 2/3 the run time. I watched the first 20 minutes again with the commentary on while I was doing some chores; it actually made the movie more entertaining.
Rated 24 Nov 2018
64
22nd
That is quite an elegant building!
Rated 03 Jan 2014
40
25th
Impressive but ultimately pretty boring.
Rated 09 Jun 2013
55
5th
The gimmick runs thin very fast and the film quickly becomes boring and even annoying.
Rated 09 Feb 2013
74
59th
Considering the mind-blowing technical considerations of filming entirely in one shot in one day, I feel guilty that the film didn't connect with me more. Nevertheless, I still found it a fascinating look at Russian history, and I particularly liked the contrast between the two main characters: a phlegmatic, seemingly-disembodied narrator and a more bombastic non-Russian very reminiscent of Woland from The Master and Margarita.
Rated 09 Apr 2012
92
99th
Proof that film can be an true artform of its own, even when relying so heavily on other forms. It relies on movement and space as much as dance or sculpture, it relies on tableaus as much as the paintings it analyzes and it relies on voice and characters in both abstract and concrete form - as litterature or theater. Ironically, this ark ends up resembling the comic book (so often compared to film) the least. It is a technical triumph that I marvel at, even if can be picked apart.
Rated 03 Aug 2011
68
68th
Sokurov's single shot depicts two centuries of russian history in a poetic museum tour, in which politics and art are almost indistinguishable themes. It seems too distant and flourished, but it's undeniably intelligent in its metaphors and references: the Russian Ark, like Noah's in a world inhabited by bad men, lost its artifacts when communism arrived and started attacking european elite -- at least that's what I think the director wanted to say.
Rated 16 Feb 2010
100
97th
A somnambulant or spectre's stroll through Russian history in a place where time has folded in upon itself, with the present earning fleeting glimpses of and intruding forcibly onto the rolling and ebbing currents of the past. Still, the film fosters this feeling of historical and cultural divorce, a sense not of loss but of the impossibility of stepping out of our own small moment in time. And it's all ornately beautiful and pulled off with unspeakable craft. Amazing and hypnotic.
Rated 26 Sep 2009
40
9th
Only worth something considering it technically. Practically, it's absolutely boring.
Rated 13 Oct 2008
75
58th
On one hand, it's a lost, sumptuous dream. On the other hand, I slept through most of it. The parts I did see were pretty, though.
Rated 19 Jan 2023
73
79th
Too much editing
Rated 22 Jan 2019
71
37th
"I open my eyes and I see nothing" spectacular about the boring storytelling which covers Russian history and art, while the single long take achieves wonders.. For a better duo of storytelling and similar cinematography, check "Long Day's Journey into Night" by Bi Gan.
Rated 29 Sep 2018
81
83rd
More than the technical feat, it is a compete reversal of modern cinema. While the latter uses cuts to construct time even within a temporally continuous scene, Sokurov here constructs time through the mise-en-scène and completely does away with editing. It is an artistic cornerstone just for this reason. Besides this, I found the first hour very intriguing and mysterious, but the ball scene dragged and was somewhat superfluous. Is Sokurov nostalgic of this old aristocratic Russia?
Rated 05 Aug 2016
47
62nd
impressive in certain aspects
Rated 19 Mar 2016
60
26th
Okay, take two!
Rated 09 Mar 2016
90
85th
Our Daily Free Stream: Alexander Sokurov - Russian Ark (engl. subt.). Jede Rezension von Russian Ark beginnt mit Sokurovs Methode, diesen Wahnsinn inszenieren (oder sollte man präzisieren: begleiten) zu können: Drei Jahrhunderte russischer Geschichte in der Eremitage. 96 Minuten ohne Schnitt, gedreht in einer einzigen kontinuierlichen, digitalen Steadycam-Aufnahme... mehr auf cinegeek.de
Rated 21 Sep 2015
86
82nd
Admittedly there are some incredibly boring scenes, the narrative isn't fully defined or explained, and a lot of patience is required throughout. But you can't deny that the aesthetics of the museum and the costumes used are absolutely gorgeous, and the way it was filmed is beyond impressive.
Rated 01 Jul 2015
77
69th
If I return to this one day I could maybe enjoy it more.
Rated 25 Mar 2015
75
37th
A worthy effort and much-appreciated look inside the Hermitage, but personally I could not engage with the film as a narrative piece, it was too difficult and abstruse and slow-moving for me (sadly). I suppose I learned something, but understood nothing.
Rated 23 Mar 2015
77
66th
Holds itself back from being a masterpiece due to the specificity of its subject matter and a poor sound mix, but it still fights for greatness. The hypnotic grand ball finale really sums up the dreamlike atmosphere.
Rated 28 Jan 2015
6
43rd
Beautiful to look at, fabulous costumes and setting but I found the content and the steady, unchanging pace a bit dull.
Rated 24 Nov 2014
4
52nd
i can appreciate this, especially the technical aspects, but i could never love it. surprised i didn't actively dislike it to be honest.
Rated 21 Sep 2014
86
82nd
While the film is an absolute marvel of technical filmmaking--it's shot in a single, uninterrupted hour-and-a-half take involving thousands of actors--I can't help but wish it had been in support of a more engrossing narrative.
Rated 16 Jul 2014
73
78th
A stunning technological achievement, Russian Ark's one-shot 'gimmick' is central to the director's view on the flow of time and its relationship to art and culture and the whole of human existence. It's an impressive spectacle, a kind of arthouse blockbuster, but it has been overpraised and is neither overly representative of Sokurov's style--which is more frequently characterised by fixed camera positions and hazier visuals, with few exceptions--nor anywhere near his best work.
Rated 20 May 2014
70
76th
Just watch it for the ballroom scene only. Bloody amazing.
Rated 06 May 2014
50
14th
A stupendous technical achievement, a promising concept and a big, fat slog of a film. The practical and artistic effort that went into creating both the long take and the lush production is nothing but a marvel; but "Russkiy kovcheg" itself soon becomes a sluggish and detached collection of stray commentary on history and art.
Rated 02 Mar 2014
69
65th
transitions between time and spaces was very good. completely artwork. good job Sokurov!
Rated 16 Oct 2013
90
92nd
I can't get over how this was done with one shot -- this is just flat-out one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. There was so much more going than I thought there was going to be, it left me pretty mind-boggled and breathless. This technical audacity really lends a large amount of weight to this voyeuristic, intense, intimate, and time-altering experience.
Rated 23 May 2013
85
83rd
Tum filmin (99 dk.!) kesintisiz tek bir plandan olusmasi gercekten inanilmaz. Belirgin bir kusur, bir aksaklik da goremedim ustelik. Belli ki uzuuun ve titiz bir on hazirlik yapilmis. Dalga dalga suzulen, havada yuzuyormus edasindaki kamera kullanimi da cok enteresan; nefis. Haliyle pek rahat izlenmiyor, yoruyor biraz ama cok etkileyici. Sinema adina muhim bir basari bence.
Rated 16 Apr 2013
75
56th
I didn't love it but it deserves a second watch, I reckon.
Rated 20 Jan 2013
90
90th
I think you would have to be completely numb to the sweep of history, or at least the sweep of virtuoso camera movements and precisely blocked actors, not to be moved by at least a little of what Sokurov unleashes in this ambitious film.
Rated 09 Jan 2013
63
53rd
I was amazed at the technical accomplishment, but boredfor most of the running time. The last twenty five minutes or so more than redeems the experience when the film opens up suddenly into an enormous ballroom with hundreds of beautifully costumed dancers, an orchestra. Then the music stops, the dancing ends, the camera and the dancers sweep down the stairs. They're ghosts living in the museum, an entire civilization that's vanished. Poignant and affecting.
Rated 10 Oct 2012
50
55th
A commercial for a museum. Boring, of course, but still unique, impressive and at times immersive.
Rated 30 Jul 2012
1
20th
A bit of a chore.
Rated 20 Mar 2012
70
34th
Technically stunning: asides from the ability to truly film it in one single take, the costume and sound design are wonderful, a film that is as beautiful to watch as it is to listen to. Unfortunately, I found myself becoming quite impatient, at times, due to my lack of historical knowledge of Russia centuries ago. This, ultimately, may be the largest barrier to truly 'enjoying' the film: a technical marvel to appreciate, but can become quite dry in its oft-obscure references to a Russian past
Rated 06 Mar 2012
50
44th
A masturbatory technical exercise, but what a wonderful wank it is. Even if it's a bit empty, it looks magnificent, and the ending ballroom scene is fantastic.
Rated 19 Aug 2011
75
37th
RUSSIAN ARK is, one hand, profoundly gimmicky--a tour of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, encountering figures from the 1700s onwards as they dance, admire art, conduct diplomacy, etc.--all in a single 90-minute shot, done in one 90-minute take. The first half is dull and hollow, and the lack of character (a mysterious "European" and the invisible narrator aside) gets to one, but the second half blossoms and caps things off with a brilliant grand ball. Definitely worth it for the curious.
Rated 09 May 2011
95
98th
You float thru 3oo years of Russian History on a special tour of the Hermitage. Shot in one continuous take. UUnique.
Rated 03 Feb 2011
84
77th
It's a bit of a gimmick but a well thought out one. The setting and first person perspective work well with the single shot concept and it's really well executed with great visuals and an appropriate sense of mystery.
Rated 09 Jan 2011
72
68th
I did not like much of the story since it was jumping in time back and forth, but more deeper to the Hermetage in St. Petersburg we got, more impressed I get. The movie was technically a fine job. And during it you've got a free of charge run through of the museum.
Rated 07 Oct 2010
3
26th
Yes its impressive that the whole thing is done in one shot. Still that is the whole thing it has going for it. Gimmicks only get you so far. Dull and exhausting.
Rated 25 Jul 2010
63
5th
I dare you not to fall asleep
Rated 30 Apr 2010
73
79th
I came into this expecting a spectacular achievement in cinematography, photography, staging and choreography but little else. I was wrong. It is all those things, but also creates a compelling atmosphere, despite a slight aloofness; the dialogue is mumbled and I'm sure I didn't get many of the cultural and historical references, but I actually liked that it didn't strain for accessibility. The one-shot isn't just a gimmick - it's a device essential to the film's rumination about time.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
75
88th
I must admit, I wanted to watch this film based solely on the fact it was shot in one take. The amount of effort and time it must have taken to make this movie (choreography of the actors, cameramen, crew, dance sequences, etc) is mind blowing. Don't get me wrong, I didn't rate this movie solely on my opinions above, I thought it was an excellent movie with great vision.

Not necessarily a bad thing, but the hour and a half film felt soo much longer than that.
Rated 07 Nov 2008
52
48th
I didn't get it enough to really enjoy it. I just enjoyed the Russian and the continuous shot.
Rated 21 Oct 2008
72
48th
Wonderfully shot, often intriguing, but feels gimmicky and ultimately I wouldn't watch it again.
Rated 25 Aug 2008
100
94th
a perfect poem.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
20
3rd
This is pretty. That's the main reason to see it. It's not good, but the single shot gimmick works.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
16th
I like this movie in theory. In theory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
87th
Like floating through a dream of the art and history of Russia. Certainly not for everyone, but if the description I gave piques your interest, you will almost certainly love it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
90th
Not a great plot, but fantasticly put together.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
I adore the films of Sokurov that dwell in this floating dream world. His characteristic sound design is perfectly suited to this, and gives me a feeling unlike anyone else. The mood is what sells me on this film, but I'm always happy in addition to that for extensive art connoisseurship babble.
Rated 28 Feb 2023
25
19th
#23#, rw2, one-shot-gimmick, ratings, "Project 100-80-60-40-20"-2002#4
Rated 10 Sep 2022
65
57th
Tour de force around St. Petersburg's Hermitage interwoven with Russian history. Masterful camera work allows full immersion into a movie that was shot with one take.
Rated 23 Aug 2022
62
25th
This is of course an absolutely mindblowing technical achievement, but unfortunately that is the reason for most of its score here. I just wish there'd been a better actual film here. I likely would have appreciated it more if I were Russian. It's a pretty unique film. The only other movie that came to mind quite often while watching it was Last Year at Marienbad, though it doesn't capture the magic of that film. Amazing piece of work, though at the end kind of left me wondering why it was made.
Rated 25 Jul 2022
58
61st
okay movie
Rated 08 Nov 2021
39
31st
I don't know what I was supposed to take away from this; for all intents and purposes it's an extremely elaborate guided museum tour, except the guide is annoying and you can't stop and look at anything.
Rated 26 May 2021
72
39th
Impressive. Wish I could do more than merely appreciate this.
Rated 02 Feb 2021
3
72nd
Waltz scene.
Rated 27 Nov 2019
70
57th
feels a bit like a guided tour. who would ever take a guided tour?
Rated 24 Nov 2019
79
34th
A beautiful tour in a museum, but would have been better with some kind of storyline.
Rated 23 Sep 2019
82
78th
Alexander Sokurov, sinemanın sınırlarını zorlayarak 90 dakikalık deneysel bir tek plana imza atıyor. Başından sonuna kadar derinlikli ve nitelikli olan Russian Ark, Hermitage Müzesi'nde soluksuz bir gezintiye çıkıyor ve sanat tarihine dair muhteşem monologlara yer veriyor.
Rated 22 May 2015
85
92nd
?stanbul Modern.
Rated 08 Jul 2012
30
6th
Interesting because of the techniques used to shot the film but hell it's boring.
Rated 12 Mar 2012
0
0th
Boring
Rated 24 Apr 2011
30
2nd
Boooooriiiiiing to Death
Rated 07 Apr 2011
30
78th
"The film's heady yet far from impenetrable theory suggests that Russians take comfort in their closed-off nationalist reality." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 30 May 2010
40
1st
Absurdly slow and terrible.
Rated 27 Mar 2010
60
13th
Famous for one continual shot for whole movie with each 'scene' interesting enough without having much of a plot to speak of.
Rated 24 Mar 2010
68
5th
I'm not enough of an art aficionado to appreciate much of this film (a good half-hour is dedicated to discussing paintings in the Hermitage) but the continuous long-shot, luscious period costumes and jovial critiques of Russian culture from the French governor/companion certainly made it enjoyable enough.
Rated 30 Jan 2009
45
11th
Another movie I couldn't get into at all.. The French guy was annoying.
Rated 15 Oct 2008
70
47th
Art within art.
Rated 25 Jul 2008
0
2nd
This film is ridiculously boring.
Rated 04 Jul 2008
100
99th
Europe visits monarchical Russia, accompanied by a 20th century Russian man. It's impressive that the european actually reflects a Catholic point of view of things. The scene where Nicholas II and his family are eating at the table is so touching, one of my favorite moments in movie history. "Goodbye Europe", seeing all the monarchy leave the scene in all its beauty, not knowing the fate history reserved to then, absolute melancholy. It's a deeply emotional movie and an exercise of otherness.
Rated 02 Mar 2008
54
26th
# 920

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