1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time (2007)
A sweeping Russian historical epic set amid the chaos of the Time of Troubles, where one serf's devotion to his czarina drives him into the heart of war.
1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time - Movie Information
- Original Title: 1612: Хроники смутного времени
- Release Year: 2007
- Directed by: Vladimir Khotinenko
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama
- Runtime: 2h 15m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 28, 2007 (UA), November 11, 2007 (United States), February 7, 2008 (Germany - 16)
- Alternative Titles: 1612 – Der blutige Kampf um das Vaterland (DE), 1612: Khroniki smutnogo vremeni (RU), 1612: Chronicles of the dark time (US)
- Production Companies: Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematograph, Renova-Media, Golden Eagle, Central Partnership, Studio Trite
- Production Countries: Russia
1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time - Plot
The czar of Russia has died and a power vacuum has developed. This period in the late 16th and early 17th century has been called "The Time of Troubles." There are many impostors who claim to the right to rule, but there's only one heir, the Czarina Kseniya Godunova. She has married a Polish military leader who wants to claim the Russian throne in her name so he can rule all of Russia. As the Poles move in on Moscow in an attempt to install the czarina on the throne, Andrei, a serf with a life-long infatuation of the czarina attempts to save her from her brutal Polish husband.
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1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Vladimir Khotinenko
Main Cast
- Pyotr Kislov
- Artur Smolyaninov
- Michał Żebrowski
- Violetta Davydovskaya
- Mikhail Porechenkov
- Aleksandr Baluev
- Marat Basharov
- Ramón Langa
- Aleksandr Samoylenko
- Valeriy Zolotukhin
Writers
- Arif Aliev
Producers
- Aleksandr Utkin
- Nikita Mikhalkov
- Leonid Vereshchagin
1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time - FAQs
What is 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time about?
Set during Russia's turbulent Time of Troubles, the film follows Andrei, a serf deeply devoted to Czarina Kseniya Godunova. When Polish forces march on Moscow to seize the throne in her name, Andrei risks everything to rescue her from her ruthless Polish husband. It's a sweeping tale of loyalty, chaos, and survival.
Is 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time based on real history?
Yes, the film draws on real events from early 17th-century Russia. The Time of Troubles was a genuine period of dynastic crisis, foreign intervention, and civil unrest. Kseniya Godunova was a real historical figure, though the story of Andrei is a fictional narrative woven around these authentic events.
Who are the main actors in 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time?
The cast features Pyotr Kislov as the serf Andrei, Artur Smolyaninov as Kostka, Michał Żebrowski as Polish commander Jan Skrzetuski, and Violetta Davydovskaya as Kseniya Godunova. Mikhail Porechenkov, Aleksandr Baluev, Marat Basharov, and Valeriy Zolotukhin round out the ensemble.
What was the Time of Troubles in Russian history?
The Time of Troubles (roughly 1598–1613) was a catastrophic period in Russia marked by famine, dynastic collapse, foreign invasions from Poland and Sweden, and a string of false pretenders to the throne. It ended with the election of Mikhail Romanov, founding a dynasty that would rule for three centuries.
Who directed 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time?
Vladimir Khotinenko directed the film. A respected Russian filmmaker known for tackling weighty historical and social themes, Khotinenko brought this ambitious period epic to life with a reported budget of $12 million, making it one of the larger Russian productions of its era.
When was 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time released?
The film premiered in Ukraine on October 28, 2007, followed by its Russian release. It reached the United States on November 11, 2007, and arrived in Germany on February 7, 2008. The release was timed to coincide with Russia's National Unity Day, which commemorates the 1612 liberation of Moscow.
How long is 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time?
The film runs for 135 minutes — just over two hours and fifteen minutes. That runtime gives the story room to breathe, letting the historical backdrop, battle sequences, and character relationships unfold at a proper epic pace without feeling rushed.
What are some films similar to 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time?
If you enjoy this kind of historical epic, you might also like Dear Comrades! (2020), Firebrand (2024), The Three Musketeers: Milady (2023), Cyrano (2021), or Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023). For something with a similar Russian or Eastern European flavor, Assembly (2007) and Gorky Park (1983) are worth exploring.
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