Archangel (TV 2005)

A British college professor working in Russia investigates certain mysteries surrounding the life and death of Joseph Stalin.

Director:

Jon Jones

Writers:

Robert Harris (novel), Dick Clement (screenplay),

Stars:

Daniel Craig, Yekaterina Rednikova, Gabriel Macht

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Craig	...	Prof. Fluke Kelso
Yekaterina Rednikova	...	Zinaida Rapava
Gabriel Macht	...	R.J. O'Brian
Lev Prygunov	...	Vladimir Mamantov
Alexey Diakov	...	Suvorin
Harry Ditson	...	Frank Adelman
Tanya Moodie	...	Velma
Avtandil Makharadze	...	Josef Stalin
Anna Gerasimova	...	Anna
Claudia Harrison	...	Louise
Kaspars Zvigulis	...	Young Papu Rapava
Valery Chernyak	...	Old Papu Rapava
Aurelija Anuzhite	...	Olga
Ziedonis Lochmelis	...	Viktor
Jakov Rafalson	...	Moscow Official (as Yakov Rafalson)

Storyline

Set in contemporary Moscow and the frozen northern town of Archangel, the drama revisits the stark landscape of Communist Russia and takes place over four days in the life of academic Fluke Kelso. His fateful meeting with a former Stalinist bodyguard leads to the uncovering of one of the world's most dangerous and best kept secrets. He is led unwittingly through murder and intrigue towards his own personal "Holy Grail" - Joseph Stalin's secret legacy - a legacy that could change the face of Russian history forever.

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Plot Keywords:

russia | murder | college professor | historical fiction | female to male foot in crotch | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

5 January 2006 (Estonia)

Also Known As:

Arcángel

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Drama Group, Powercorp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min 124 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stalin had two sons, one of whom, Yakov, died in German captivity during the war, the other, Vasilii died of alcoholism in 1962. Yakov's son Evgenii has tried to carry the family torch, much as "Joseph" in the film, with little success. The conceit of the film might be based on the discovery in 2001 of another Stalin grandson, whose father was conceived during Stalin's exile in Siberia before the revolution.

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Goofs

After Kelso and the reporter follow Josef into his cabin, Josef brings them a storage box containing some of his late father's effects. Kelso takes a medal from the box and states that it is the Hero of the Soviet Union Medal. However, it is clearly not the HSU Medal. The pendant (lower part) of the real HSU Medal is in the shape of a simple large star; the medal Kelso holds has a much more elaborate pendant.

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Quotes

Fluke Kelso: [quoting Stalin] To choose one's victims, to prepare one's plans minutely, to slate an implacable vengeance, then go to bed - there is nothing sweeter in the world.

User Reviews

Theater Quality TV Movie

I watched this movie as a last resort, for something better to do, and I was pleasantly surprised. The story was very good, which is something you don't get these days with the new breed of writers. This is also the first time I have seen Daniel Craig in a movie since his rise to James Bond. I was impressed with his acting and he was very believable in his part. I believe that is movie is out on DVD and well worth the rental fee or purchase if you like. There are a lot of twists and turns in this movie but if you pay attention it is fairly easy to keep up with the action. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a story with a lot of ins and outs.