Russian Ark

Russian Ark (2002)

  • 88% of critics liked it
    (94 reviews)

  • 79% of users liked it
    (8,441 ratings)

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 digital video, using a specially designed disc instead of tape). Russian Ark is shot from the… More

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In Theaters
Dec 13, 2002 Limited
Wellspring Media

Critic Reviews

  • Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

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

  • Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

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

  • Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

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

  • Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

    The camera work is fluid, the concept intriguing.

  • Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

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

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Alexander D


    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… More

  • Universal D


    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, and… More

  • Jeremy S


    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.

  • Curtis L


    Neat idea...the whole continuous shot thing, but it failed to keep my attention

  • William S


    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

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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