This is just OK. Quite exceptional but far from remarkable interpretation of Pushkin's classic. Mashkov is pretty good in the role of Pugachev. Masha and Grinev are kind of bland though. And it was probably a mistake to cast Makovetskiy as Shvabrin. His stone-cold facial expression was great in "Of Freaks and Men," but here it doesn't fit at all. Overall, the movie looks good as far as the costumes, settings and other historical aspects go, but it lacks something that would really pull you in and make this film a true historical epic. "War and Peace" it ain't. Like it was said by the previous reviewers, if you are interested in Russian culture and history, you should see it. Just don't expect to be blown away.