User Reviews

I have mixed feeling about this. On the one hand, I like historical dramas, especially when they seem like they are somewhat accurate. Also I found the first season to be interesting, as I didn't know too much about Godunov. On the other hand, the second season was REALLY dark. The long descent into madness started to wear me out after a while. The "Russian Soul" can get a little intense if you're just looking for some light entertainment. As far as the filming, sets, etc.. I'd say it's OK for TV. Same for the acting, not exactly top level performances but not bad either. My final opinion, it's worth watching both seasons, just think about taking a few breaks along the way to recover emotionally.

I was looking one night for something with historical context, and this superceded all my expectations.....I was hooked after the first 5 minutes......The production and direction is first rate......The acting from both the main and supporting cast is outstanding.... The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is for the poor english translation.

To define its virtues is not easy. Sure, the costumes, the rooms, the locations, large part of the performances are admirable. Sergey Bezrukov is just a hard , good worker for a role provocative in each aspect and the expectations of the public are not low. Sure, he seems a soft Boris Godunov. But it is only a version of good Tsar serving his people, the run of a modest man to the trust of the tsars and his ascension on the throne of Ruriks, the intense fragility of power and the difficult reign, the crisis beginning near his death and the come back to normal. Two virtues - the courage to not reduce the series at the life of Boris Godunov and the atmosphere of the last episode. The great good point - to give firce and soul and beauty to this huge project , with noble , high care to the details.

It is not perfect and, sure, it is profound subjective, against the desire of objectivity. But it is more than decent and, at the end, indeed, it deserves applauses.

Russia! Russia! Russia, we love you, intrigue, murder, a scary dead czar in his bathtub, more , more, more!