Peter I: The Last Tsar and the First Emperor

Synopsis

"Peter I: The Last Tsar and the First Emperor" is a 2022 Russian historical drama film that chronicles the transformative reign of Peter the Great, portrayed by Konstantin Khabenskiy. The film explores Peter's ambitious efforts to modernize Russia and expand its influence, depicting his complex character as both a visionary reformer and a stern ruler. It delves into the political intrigues, military campaigns, and personal challenges that defined his rule, illustrating the monumental changes that ultimately shaped the Russian Empire's emergence as a major European power. With a rich portrayal of 18th-century Russia, the movie captures the spirit of an era marked by conflict, innovation, and empire-building.

Cast

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  Konstantin Khabenskiy

  Narrator (voice)

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  Ivan Kolesnikov

  Peter I

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  Aleksey Lukin

  Young Peter I

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  Daniil Muravev-Izotov

  Peter I (aged 10)

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  Maksim Ivanov-Marenin

  Young Alexander Menshikov

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  Igor Gordin

  Alexander Menshikov

Reviews

The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. On IMDb, "Peter I: The Last Tsar and the First Emperor" holds a moderate rating around 6.8/10, indicating a generally favorable reception, particularly applauding Konstantin Khabenskiy's powerful performance and the film's lavish production design. Critics from Russian media praised its attention to historical detail and the grand scale of storytelling; however, some noted that the narrative pacing occasionally slows down, which might affect overall engagement. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the film's strengths in portraying the complexity of Peter's character but suggested that its length and dense historical content could challenge viewers unfamiliar with Russian history. Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic do not feature aggregate scores due to limited international distribution, but online reviews commend the movie's ambition and cinematic quality while recommending it primarily to enthusiasts of historical epics and Russian history. Overall, it is seen as a culturally significant work that offers valuable insight into one of Russia's most pivotal figures, balanced by critiques of its accessibility for a wider audience.