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Summary: A Unique Movie
Review: I rented this film the way I prefer to rent all films: knowing nothing about it except for that fact that it was shot in one take (although there is one scene where a short break seems to have occurred). "The Russian Ark" has no plot. It has no special effects. But that is what makes the film work. After a while, you realize where the action takes place and that it take place in no particular time. The film is a celebration of a glorious building and its precious contents and the history inherent to it. It is like opening a time capsule. It is a celebration of music and art and the trappings of empire. Indeed, the "Marquis" (whoever he is supposed to be) is wrong: The Russians aren't just imitators. Note, for example, how the Russian costumes are elegantly Russian. The final scene is stunning-- it is simply what has to be a thousand extras exiting a building--nothing more. But those costumes! The gold brocade alone could fund an expedition to Mars. I also think the scene is a tacit testament to the dashing good looks of Russian men and the beauty of young Russian women. Maybe the real point of the film is that the artistic treasure of Russia is the people.
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Summary: It's so beautiful you'll never want to leave
Review: Do you like dreamy stylistic movies? What would happen if a filmaker made a movie using theatre production techniques? When it works great movie masterpieces have been made. Citizen Kane, Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and All About Eve to name a few are wonderful examples. RUSSIAN ARK is one to add to that list of moviemakers who dared to take the leap. This movie moves like a ballet that is synchronized with the most beautiful music you have ever heard. The movie teaches a lesson about the proper perspective of Russian art. To do this the main character is a "ghost" or an old world aristocrat visiting the present-day Hermitage Museum in Russia. In the begginning the "ghost" says the Russia has always "copied" other masters of art. Russian czars have a long history of "acquiring" art collections from other European countries. This wonderful collection still exists in the Hermitage Museum which has been preserved at great cost. However, not to be overlooked is the Russian contribution in art in the areas of classical music, oil paintings, sculpture, and theatre. The establishment of the museum and its subsequent preservation all attest to the love of art that Russians have. The movie is made for others that feel the same way. In the end, like the "ghost", we might decide to just stay there forever. Cheers
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Summary: Russian Ark At Its Best on DVD
Review: "Russian Ark" is the story of a young filmmaker who suffers a blow on the head while filming a project at the Hermitage - the former palace of the Tsars which is now a national museum. As the filmmaker wanders through the museum, he finds that he is detached from his own time; he wanders in the company of a French diplomat - an historical figure who wrote a travelogue about Russia in the 19th century - he finds himself witnessing vignettes from Russian history. Some are far in the past - the Russian poet Pushkin appears, as does Peter the Great (who is in the act of condemning his son to death for rebellion). Others are more recent; in particular, he sess the terrible sufferings of the people of Leningrad during their city's 1,000-day siege during World War II. Through it all, the Ark bears and preserves its cargo of history, culture, and memory. My wife and I had the privilege of seeing "Russian Ark" in a theater last winter. The movie is wonderful; for myself, it recalled my visit to Leningrad in 1976, one of my most precious memories. However, the movie was shot in high-definition video and the transfer to film was poorly done. At times, the image was muddy and murky, the sound was not always in synch with the image, and the color palette changed drastically from one reel to another. The DVD corrects these flaws, and reveals Alexander Sokurov's film in its glory:
a feast for the eye. Memory is, in large part, what makes us human. Sukorov's film is a testament to human memory, and to the the memories, glorious and terrible, that are particularly Russian. See it, and grow wise.
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Summary: It is wonderful to see more Russian film making it to the US
Review: I saw this film in the theater. Unfortunately I was only able to see it once and felt it was one of those films you could see more than once to "see all that you can see". I am very pleased to see it will be on DVD because our(meaning the US's) perspective on Russian history is lacking because of the years we heard only our version of their history. The more media(ie books, articles, film, music) that we have access to see, the better picture we have of Russian people. To the reviewer who worries viewers will be overwhelmed with the "one shot" technique, I say the people who go see this movie are not the type to be overwhelmed with just technique anymore then they would be overwhelmed with the film being Russian(eg the George Lucas Syndrome). It is beautifully filmed in a place many of us may never see.
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Summary: The One-Shot Clause
Review: While I more or less enjoyed RUSSIAN ARK, I'm not sure that the fact that it was shot in a single take should be deserving of so much praise. Sure, it's a logistical feat of grand proportions, but even the most candy-coated of Hollywood blockbusters are logistical feats of grand proportions. A one-shot take has no inherent creative merit, unlike, say, an inventive script or genuine thespianship. I won't go as far to say that it's a gimmick - though it's tempting to say as much when it's touted relentlessly in the film's publicity; I just think film-goers should appreciate it for what it is - a film-making technique - and be wary not to settle for less from the other constituents of the film because of it.
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Summary: Russian Ark: A Magical Journey.
Review: Russian Ark is a magical mixture: Part dream like documentary and journey through time. We tour the vast galleries of Russia's Hermitage Museum. Gradually the history and art on display fuses with ghosts and visions from another age. There is also a Narrator style character who communicates with other 'voices' providing anecdotes about what we are witnessing. This includes glimpses of Catherine the Great and the last Czar, Nicholas II, going about their daily lives in courtly rountines and intimate family dinners. At one stage Anastasia runs down a corridor with her sisters, flying along like angels. Finally there is a spectacular ball attended by thousands of guests that concludes with one of the most stunningly beautiful sequences ever captured on film: A tide of humanity virtually floating through the great rooms and down the stairs of the wonderously ornate Winter Palace. Quite breathtaking! It makes up for the films slow first half and is well worth seeing just for this. Filmed in one complete take, 'Russian Ark' is indeed a rewarding experience that deserves repeated viewings to discover more treasures hidden within its power. It also provides an insight into the culture that bred Revolution.
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Summary: Ark of Ages
Review: This film transcends itself: The grand tour of the Russian age of European influences crawls to a halt with the advance of the German armies to the gates of St. Petersberg. We see the grand royal entourage in their final days of glory slowly filing out of the Winter Palace as if floating into eternity beyond the doors of existence as ghosts watch their departure. This is a film that filming was meant for: quiet, elaborate, detailed, with little dialogue, no "story", and one long, unbroken flow of camera that carries the viewer into history and beyond.
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Summary: Russian Ark: Subtle, Great, not Thrilling
Review: OK, so this movie's soundtrack is sometimes almost inaudibly low, and voices and scenes move in and out of sight and sound range in a seemingly awkward manner, and there is no riveting action in the movie. All true. But, the low volume, in-and-out soundtrack and the somewhat disjointed visuals serve to make the viewer feel like the heard (but never seen) narrator of the film, strolling through a famous museum in Russia, and time-travelling from room to room, seeing famous historical figures, and experiencing snippets of Russian history, and character. No scene is riveting, in and of itself, and the movie is not riveting. But it seems to almost annoyingly engage the viewer into being interested, and doing more work than was originally desired. The movie was filmed all in one take... an amazing feat, and this adds to the feeling that we are time-travelling. The theme of Russia having "no individual culture," but copying everything from the west, a la Peter the Great, is big throughout this movie. The theme is supported, proven to an extent, argued against, and ultimately dismissed as irrelevant. Russia is a huge, cold country, surrounded by ocean and emptiness. Yet, by the end of the movie, we are in a warm, GRAND social ball, and it is clear that "borrowed" to an extent, or not, the culture and feel of Russia was grand at that time. The artwork and the architecture are magnificent. Don't go to this movie for shoot-'em-up-bang-bang! action. Go when you're in a reflective, pondering mood, and you're ready to work to take in some visual and aural information that will, in the end, prove enriching
Rating: 
Summary: Highly disappointing film.
Review: When a film has so little to offer, it needs a purpose and it is very unclear whether or not this film has any purpose outside of its price of admission. While the photography is excellent, the acting and direction, with the one exception of the mysterious stranger, is pitiful to non-existent. Even he is hard to track and suffers due to an, at times, extremely hard to hear sound track. The costumes and salons of the Hermitage are stunning - so if one wanted to view an easy to watch catalog/museum documentary of the periods in Russian history covered by this film, then by all means attend and rave about it - you'll have plenty of time for bathroom breaks, concession purchases, etc. without missing anything. Of course, the costumes and salons would be stunning even without the filmmakers help. Bottom line: this film is tedious and pretentious in the worse sort or way. It does not even successfully deal with, or even really allude to, any of the issues Russia faced during its various periods. Its "time traveler" gimmick is facile and inconsistent. The real trick to this film is that critics appear to be raving about it. Why? Perhaps studio/distributor politicking, a desire to give a boost the Russian film industry (which I hope is the case), or, it's simply an indication of how intelligent most critics are. The best scene in the film is the last scene: a beautifully composed seascape which is not only mystical in nature but (fortunately) devoid of all actors and characters, with the exception of the person through whose eyes the audience is forced to experience reality, and he is finally silent. I would like to believe that the director can do better and would encourage him to please "try again" as Russia needs to have a renewed presence in film.
Rating:
Summary: A Magical Experience
Review: Sokurov's Russian Ark is an incredibly magical achievment! With a single take, you float through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, not just in the present but in its' past glory as well. With glimpses of Russian Greats (Peter and Catherine) as well as an array of various nobility and others, the camera weaves and moves as though it were your own eyes. To end up at the Ball is the crowning achievment of your journey: you are there dancing the night away! After the orchestra is finished (you can't help but applaud too) you join the ebb of the party (and a way of life) as it drains in spectacular fashion out of the ballroom and down the grand staircases to the future that is waiting.
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