Rating: 
Summary: technically impressive, visually dizzying
Review: This movie, an uninterrupted segue through the St. Petersburg Hermitage museum, does what no movie has done before technically. It's amazing that they were able to get all the actors, scenery and lighting in place in 36 rooms to film without stopping. And, since the Hermitage could only close for one day, they had little time for mistakes. While the technical work is admirable, I realized that I do like movies to have some cuts and edits. Following a single scene for so long was dizzying and I ended up watching the DVD in two segments to give myself a break. I also got tired of seeing so much of the back of the main character. The story was also a bit confusing. I saw in another review that someone got in an accident and woke up to this scene, but somehow I didn't catch that and was continually wondering who the main characters were. The costumes are spectacular and the glimpses of Russian history, interspersed with questions about Russia's identity and place within Europe, are great. The commentary on the DVD is also excellent and very much worth watching after the movie. Overall, it's an interesting movie to see as a work of art, but it lacks a gripping story.
Rating: 
Summary: A Cinematic Wonder
Review: A film shot straight in 90 minutes, in one un-interrupted sequence - no cuts- not more than one take for any of the scenes! Not just that, Alexander Sokurov - the legendary Russian director who debuted in 1978 with his "The Lonely Voice of Man" has done so many firsts in the movie that this wonder just has to be taken seriously. Sokurov has generated his works at the cross-roads of two fundamental film genres: documentary and "fiction". After having made nearly forty films over a period of two decades he is still searching for the language of cinematography which, as he says, the now hundred-year-old child - Cinema, has as yet not been able to develop. Shot in high definition digital format and then put on 35mm, this film used the latest in digital technology and was recorded, entirely, on a hard-disk. The movie is shot at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg and was the first feature to be allowed to be shot in the museum, or at least the first movie that wasn't about the Revolution. Hundreds of actors gathered at The Hermitage in 36 different rooms on the 23rd of December 2001 to shoot this movie. Shooting on the shortest day of the year, and balancing the light in that season in St. Petersburg for a one-take sequence of 90 minutes wouldn't have been an easy task mind you. The movie features live performances from 4 symphonic orchestras one of which is The Hermitage's own famous philharmonic orchestra. Void of modern cinematic luxuries, Alexander has, in truly a work of artistic genius, managed to add a touch of complete surrealism to the movie. Set across four centuries in an extremely surreal time-travel fashion, the movie captures the life in and around The Hermitage and re-enacts moments of history and art in one of the most epic and elaborate fashion. Not for even a single second does the movie compromise on the theatrical details for the sake of the challenge of being shot in one take. Authentic costumes and the comments on the work of art on display at The Hermitage museum are immaculately detailed and accurate. The movie almost effortlessly takes the viewer through the history, like a story-teller talking about the ages in one breath. Not failing to capture the sentiments of the ages, you would find comments on the Russian dislike of the European, as well as the political bonds and resistances that existed between Persia and Russia. Termed most often as one of the best post-soviet Russian movie, Russian Ark is more than just that. If it weren't a Russian Movie, or was set in centuries of Italian history, the world would have perhaps come to admire it more. Fully recommended to everyone for the storylines of the movie as well as for the flawless technical details. Surely goes down in the history of cinema as one of the most artistic works ever.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible film experience
Review: If you like art (Hermitage style), and you like history, then you have to see "Russian Ark". Aside from being a technical masterpiece in that it is the only feature length film ever made in one continuous take (direct to hard drives), it is a stunning visual stroll through the Hermitage across three hundred years of time. You have never seen anything like it, so don't expect to be able to anticipate, or second guess the action. It's 90 minutes of one continuous take with no cuts or edits. Even if you have been there, you have never seen it like this. Each room was brought back to proper period condition without wires, alarms, or modern additions prior to the shoot. Awesome. Watch it on the largest, highest resolution screen you can hijack for the evening. It's in Russian, with English subtitles, and it works perfectly. After you see it, run through the extra material on the disk to understand how this incredible film was made. It's even worth another round with the Producers' commentary turned on through the film (he speaks English). It amazes me to think that this film was able to be produced in such a setting, and I know that it will never happen again. The title of the film describes the Hermitage as the Ark of Russian culture. After you see the film, you will understand.
Rating:
Summary: Watch this only if you are fully awake :)
Review: Filmed in a single take, this movie allows the Hermitage to speak about Russia, specially its culture and history. Of course, that statement might seem a little weird, considering that the Hermitage is merely a building. But then, some say that no building is just a building, that we should consider them witnesses of our lives, and of those who lived before us :)
If that is true, then the possibilities surrounding the Hermitage are enormous. After all, it is one of the greatest museums in the world, and before that is was the Winter Palace of the Tzar. Who could act better as witness to Russian history, and culture, and as an ark containing that?. I think that is just what the director, Alexandr Sokurov, thought. His idea must have been to allow a silent "character" to speak, and strangely enough, he succeeded...
The plot almost doesn`t exist, but don`t panic, some kind of movies don`t need a great one in order to be enjoyed. In this, the visual images take precedence to any kind of convoluted plot. The idea is simple: you are invited to a tour through the Hermitage, as it changed through the ages. There are no time barriers: only the Hermitage and you...
Well, I suppose that isn't entirely true: there are also another two characters, a French diplomat and a voice. Yes, you read that well: a voice. That voice belongs to a person we never see (as a matter of fact, it is Sukurov's voice), who accompanies the disoriented Frenchman in his tour of the Hermitage. The Frenchman doesn't know neither how on earth he arrived at the Hermitage, nor how he suddenly managed to learn Russian, but he doesn't seem too worried about that. Instead, he just seizes the opportunity offered to his senses, and studies the beautiful paintings and the extraordinary architecture. Due to the fact that time constraints somehow disappeared, he also gets to see some scenes of Russian history. He makes some illuminating comments, from the perspective of a Frenchman of the 19th century, of course.
On the whole, I believe this is a must see movie. However, you must keep in mind that its pace is sometimes too slow, so watch it only if you are fully awake. I have more than a few friends who have slept through long parts of this movie. That doesn't mean that it is bad, it merely makes us aware of the fact that we should only watch it when we are in the mood for paying careful attention to details. The reason is that it is only then that you will realize what is so special about the "Russian Ark" .
Belen Alcat
Rating:
Summary: i love art but lack pretension. thus, trust my words.
Review: the most spectacular thing i have ever encountered.
Rating: 
Summary: nice for film students.
Review: There is always some snob people who feel they have to say experiments are art, just to stay "avant-garde". A shame.
Guys, this is just a nice film experiment. 15 minutes of it would be ok to enjoy, no more than that.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review:
I saw this film by chance and was completely blown away by it. After the initial viewing I watched the commentary disk to better understand what it was that I just saw. Immediately after that I put the movie disk back in and watched Russian Ark a second time through. Wow.
I am very much surprised to see so many 1-star and negative reviews in Amazon.com. I can only say that I wholeheartedly agree with all of the previous 5-star reviewers and their thoughtful analysis. Negative reviewers are entitled to their opinions, of course. But with such disparity in ratings, I think everyone who enjoys films should see Russian Ark and decide for themselves. As for me, Russian Ark is a unique and dazzling film shot in the equally spectacular Hermitage. I will long remember 96 minutes in one breath.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting experiment
Review: It seems it is a peculiarly Russian trait to carry out an idea to its bitter end, no matter the cost. While the idea of a single take 90 minute film is not quite so bad as some other Russian ideas, I agree with the comments that it makes for a somewhat difficult and at times lagging experience.
Still, all in all this is an interesting film, with beautiful costumes, wonderfull views of the Hermitage and the works of art, and engaging music. I appreciate the effort that went into the making of the film, but perhaps it might have been a better film with out the experimentation. The technical lessons learned may have been worth it, but it does drag in parts. And at the risk of sounding Custainesque, I could frankly have done without some of the tortured psuedo-philosphical musing as well. Like the son of producer Jens Meurer I did like the soldiers, and it was wonderful to see the ballroom scene... it was exactly what I thought when I visisted the Hermitage some years ago...wouldn't be wonderful if they could once again hold a ball here.
Be sure to listen to the commentaries and watch the 'making of the film' section to put it into perspective. I am not unsympathetic, perhaps the Russians needed a film like this. Anyway, its an interesting attempt, and worth the view for history buffs or art fans at least.
Rating:
Summary: More Than Just an Impressive Technical Stunt...
Review: Placed in the box of simply a grand, sweeping technical achievement by most viewers, Russian Ark proved to be on of the most unique and moving pieces of social commentary on modern Russia ever created. The film had a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere which was created most effectively by the technical achievement that most critics didn't see past.
Russian Ark provided the single longest uncut shot ever recorded on film (1 1/2 hours). The entire duration of the film was a masterfully choreographed tour through a beautiful Russian museum which required thousands of actors and two failed attempts until the film was completed without mistake. This alone should be reason enough to pique any film lover's curiosity. However, Russian Ark offers so much more.
Coming into the movie, I had very little knowledge of Russian history. This may have hindered me from understanding some of the characters portrayed in the film (although I did pick out some of the more prominent figures), but it certainly did not hinder me from becoming enraptured in such a rich and nostalgic journey through a bygone era.
This may seem like a light enough concept, but the underlying tone of the film is one of sorrow. With every frame, the director (who is also the narrator of sorts and the main character) seems to ache for a present time that is as beautiful as he sees his country's history.
A truly haunting film, as well as an astounding technical achievement, Russian Ark chooses to show what it misses about Russia's past, as opposed to telling what it dislikes about the country's present. In doing so, it becomes one of the most mature and moving critiques I have ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull and Pretentious, Just an Average Video in a Museum Piec
Review: Anyone who calls this work, "brilliant" is being really pretentious because on the whole, this is just an average piece on 'slavophile' culture in disguise. The director, whose boldness is like a blistering piece of annoying garbage on one's face on a cold Norwegian day, states that the, "Hermitage is the greatest museum in the world." Just from that statement we can then further evaluate that this film is 1)going to rely on manipulating history for its own plight 2) portraying Russians as 'wonderful people and 3)allowing us to see insignificant pieces of junk stolen from countless of eras in the museum.
The film itself was made on one shot by a half bald cinematographer from Germany who complained of back pain after the whole shoot because he was carrying a mobile camera that weighed 250lbs. Further touches in the editing room configured rooms with dark shadows and an eerie earth tone that seemed almost 'dead like" and made it seem like this was a Hollywood film. There's not much in the way of the story except an unknown and unseen drunk, played by the camera itself, finds himself in a dank and stench filled restroom, which is actually the foundation of the Hermitage somewhere around the year 1689 and then he encounters a pretentious and annoying old count played by some Russian. All he does is blather around and look at pieces for unusually long periods of time and comment on irrelevant tokens of opportunity such as a beautiful woman walking by who isnt hiding the fact that she has big [...]. They keep going into a time machine, which transports them into the next room of the museum, I kept wishing it was the exit, and they keep on commenting about the pieces and about the situation at hand. It isn't even philosophy because the old Russian crank is a really arrogant jerk and he keeps saying stupid things such as, "I wonder if the Czar eats with butter?". Its terribly boring and we must sit through 2 hours worth of it until the end.
There's not much to say in the way of art even, because most of it is fake to begin with, there was a fire in the Hermitage during World War 2 in which most of the museum itself was encapsulated within a great fire. Let's hope the director doesn't make a pure film on the virtues of Stalin next. (yawn, yawn)
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