Poor, Poor Pavel (2003): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Poor, Poor Pavel is a 2003 drama directed by Vitali Melnikov, starring Oksana Mysina as Empress Mariya Fyodorovna, Viktor Sukhorukov and Oleg Yankovskiy. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $8,975 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Vitali Melnikov
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Russian - Studio
- Lenfilm
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Poor, Poor Pavel About?
The premise of Poor, Poor Pavel without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lenfilm’s latest major production presents a historical fantasy rooted in real events, drawing unsettling parallels to the present. After Empress Catherine’s death, her son Prince Pavel is hurriedly crowned Tsar. Seen as feeble‑minded, he fires veteran courtiers, limits peasant work to three days, and orders officials to rise at 5 a.m., prompting conspiracies—including schemes by his own sons. Lavish sets contrast imperial grandeur with the ruthless intrigue surrounding his rule.
Poor, Poor Pavel Cast & Characters
Oksana Mysina leads the cast as Empress Mariya Fyodorovna, with Viktor Sukhorukov as Emperor Pavel the First and Oleg Yankovskiy as Count Palen. Directed by Vitali Melnikov; 28 actors are credited in all.
- Director Vitali Melnikov
- Oksana Mysina as Empress Mariya Fyodorovna
- Viktor Sukhorukov as Emperor Pavel the First
-
Oleg Yankovskiy as Count Palen - Sergey Barkovsky as Rogerson
Also Starring in Poor, Poor Pavel
· 24 more- Aleksey Barabash Aleksandr
- Aleksei Kravchenko
- Igor Shibanov Kutaisov
- Pavel Kornakov
- Boris Khvoshnyanskiy De Ribas
- Dmitriy Sutyrin Yashvil
- Vadim Lobanov Bezborodko
- Sergey Murzin
- Andrey Chumanov
- Anna Molchanova Yelizaveta
- Vera Karpova Baroness Livsi
- Ivan Parshin Valeryan Zubov
- Samvel Muzhikyan
- Dmitriy Lebedev
- Aleksandr Tsybulsky
- Yuliya Mavrina Lopukhina
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
More from Vitali Melnikov
More films directed by Vitali Melnikov: The Royal Hunt, First Encounter - Last Encounter, To Marry the Captain and Another Man’s Wife and Husband Under Bed.
Poor, Poor Pavel Plot Summary
What happens in Poor, Poor Pavel from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a cold November day in 1796, Emperor Pavel the First ascends the throne after the death of Empress Catherine the Great, who had steered Russia for 34 years. The new ruler is portrayed as a nervous and impulsive man, captive to his own visions and insecurities.
To enact his changes, he gathers supporters, among them the intelligent and calculating courtier Count Palen, who, through the emperor’s boundless trust, accumulates immense power. At first, Palen backs Paul’s reforms, but the mood at court grows increasingly hostile. Russia’s highest nobility, fueled by English money, grows deeply unhappy with the innovations and the rapid shifts in authority.
Full summary
The whole story of Poor, Poor Pavel, scene by scene
Poor, Poor Pavel Box Office
Poor, Poor Pavel grossed $8,975 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$9K
- International
- $9K
How Well Do You Know Poor, Poor Pavel?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
After whose death does Pavel the First ascend to the Russian throne?
Poor, Poor Pavel Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “哭泣的沙皇” and “Bednyy, bednyy Pavel”.
- Also known as
-
- 哭泣的沙皇
- Bednyy, bednyy Pavel
- Бедный, бедный Павел
Seen Poor, Poor Pavel?
Poor, Poor Pavel FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Poor, Poor Pavel, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Poor, Poor Pavel?
Poor, Poor Pavel runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Poor, Poor Pavel released?
Poor, Poor Pavel was released on June 21, 2003.
Who directed Poor, Poor Pavel?
Poor, Poor Pavel was directed by Vitali Melnikov.
More films by Vitali Melnikov Who is in the cast of Poor, Poor Pavel?
Poor, Poor Pavel stars Oksana Mysina as Empress Mariya Fyodorovna, Viktor Sukhorukov as Emperor Pavel the First and Oleg Yankovskiy as Count Palen, among 28 credited actors.
How much did Poor, Poor Pavel make at the box office?
Poor, Poor Pavel grossed $8,975 worldwide.
Does Poor, Poor Pavel have a post-credit scene?
No. Poor, Poor Pavel has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Poor, Poor Pavel in?
The original language of Poor, Poor Pavel is Russian.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
