Suhorukov’s genius acting in the films is already a legend. They say that the actor was so absorbed in his role that by the end of the day at the shooting area he would respond only to “Pavel Petrovich” and would talk about the emperor only in the first face. Suhorukov-Pavel on the screen gives rise to trust and unexpected liking, so that you a re ready to believe that emperor Paul was just an unhappy and poor good soul.

“Vechernee Vremya” #4 October 24, 2003

           “It’s difficult to write about this film, as it’s usually difficult to talk about anything really significant in art. It’s easier to see the film, than to talk about it. 75 years-old Vitaly Melnikov shot it in a masterly fashion, Suhorukov and Yankovsky played magnificent, the meanings of the film are uncountable and there are enough historical parallels”.

“Izvestia” October 23, 2003.

           “It’s not the facts (although they are historically correct) that excites the director, but a man’s destiny. The destiny of that strange, mad, sensitive man who was left alone with his fears and who, as the fates decreed, happened to be Russian Tsar”.

“Saint-Petersburg Vedomosti” October 22, 2003.