The Epic Drama of the History of the Russian Revolution

On October 10, 2025, Andrey Konchalovsky's new historical series "Chronicle of the Russian Revolution" was presented on the Start platform. This epic drama covers the key events of Russian history between 1905 and 1924.

The series centers on the fall of the monarchy, the rise of new power, and the destinies of people affected by changing times. Yura Borisov, Yuliya Vysotskaya, Yevgeniy Tkachuk, and Nikita Efremov play the lead roles.

Over 350 people were involved in the project, many of whom were selected through open casting. The series begins in St. Petersburg in 1905, with the story of Mikhail Prokhorov (Yura Borisov), who is appointed by Emperor Nicholas II as the chief of a special police department to suppress revolutionary sentiment.

Prokhorov is a loyal officer to the monarchy who finds himself in the heart of revolutionary conspiracies. Here, events intersect with figures such as Rasputin, Stolypin, Gorky, Trotsky, and Lenin.

Prokhorov’s main adversary is the revolutionary Lyuter, but his life is completely changed by Ariadna Slavin (Yuliya Vysotskaya), a socialite and a secret supporter of the underground movement. The series spans two revolutions, World War I, and the formation of the Soviet Union.

Each episode reveals how political decisions affect personal destinies. The first episode depicts the growing discontent among workers and peasants in the Russian Empire in 1905.

Mikhail Prokhorov leads a special police department. In later episodes, Prokhorov’s acquaintance with Ariadna Slavin, the February Revolution of 1917, intrigues around Stolypin and Rasputin, and the activities of Lenin and other historical figures are portrayed.

Each part of the series gives a deep understanding of historical events. Through this series, Konchalovsky tries to show the revolution through personal stories, making it a harmonious continuation of his previous historical dramas such as "Paradise", "Sin", and "Dear Comrades!".

Filming of the series began in September 2022 and concluded in August 2023. The crew worked in the "Glavkino" and "Mosfilm" pavilions as well as at historical locations.

At the same time, over a thousand people—actors, decorators, and assistants—worked on set. With the release of the series, the Start platform and the "Engineer’s Gaze" bureau launched an excursion called "Moscow 1905–1924: Between the Throne and the Mausoleum".

Viewers can see filming locations and real sites from the revolutionary era. The series "Chronicle of the Russian Revolution" has become one of the most discussed premieres in November on the Kino-teatr.ru portal.

Audience opinions are sharply divided: some praise the scale and visual credibility of the series, while others call it "a distortion of historical truth". In particular, Yevgeniy Tkachuk's portrayal of Lenin has been criticized.

Likewise, the character Ariadna Slavin played by Yuliya Vysotskaya has received mixed reviews. The finale of the series is also interpreted differently by viewers—some see it as a call for compromise, while others regard it as justifying adaptability.

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