The unseen narrator wakes up to find people in costume clothing. It's his POV. They move through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. He learns that he embodies a 19th century French aristocrat. As the narrator and his avatar moves through the palace, they encounter various Russian characters.

It's most notable for being one continuous take and having such an impressive place as the Hermitage to film it in. It's a magnificent feat but that doesn't make it a good movie. It's an experiment at best. The disembodied feel makes this like a backstage pass to a grand stage play. That would have been more exciting than this. This movie is interesting for awhile but it's very monotonous. The floaty camera moves don't change. The movie just keeps going and going. However the setting is quite impressive and the movie works on a travelogue level.

"Russian Ark" is an incredible movie and there is nothing like it. Think about it--director Aleksandr Sokurov made this movie in one day and in one long continuous take!!! Apparently, he'd have access to the Hermitage for one day only, so for months he coordinated all the thousands of extras, costumers, cameramen, etc.! I just couldn't believe it as I sat and watched!!

The film begins with a haughty French nobleman from the 19th century finding himself magically transported to the Hermitage palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. And, magically, he finds himself able to understand and speak Russian!! At first, he sounds very dismissive of the palace and seems to think it's nothing but a second-rate Russian copy of a European palace and art gallery. At the same time, he marvels that he gets to catch glimpses of the likes of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great--both who lived there. However, as the film progresses, the nobleman's demeanor changes and he marvels at the history, artworks and style--culminating with an incredibly sumptuous grand ball--the final one that occurred here in 1913.

This film is a glimpse at Russian history and art. However, it is NOT linear--and bounces about from the distant to not so distant pass and vice-versa. As such, it's a great history lesson--provided you can follow what is happening. As an ex-world history teacher, I had no trouble--but most non-Russians might want to brush up on Russian history from the mid 17th century to the present before they watch! Regardless, it is a one of a kind and breathtaking film. How the production was made and financed is something I'd like to know more about--as it is a magnificent and extremely strange film.

We are taken through a non-stop tour of the Russian Hermitage Museum. In the process, we are treated to commentary on the works of art (casual mostly and critical to some degree). We see major events and ceremonies and all done in one take as the central figure opens doors into hallways and then grand rooms. it wasn't to my taste. I hope to visit this great museum in the near future, but as a film it was stifling to my short attention span.