Arguably the best movie of Mikhalkov...
Arguably the best movie of Mikhalkov and one of the best movies of the Soviet cinematography through 70 - 2000's.
Pros: superb everything - cast, acting, directing, script. The late Bogatyrev (RIP), which is my favorite actor of all times along with Eugene Leonov, is just great as never before.
Cons: nothing but a touch of Communist ideology. But this was surely only a reason to shoot such a beautiful movie in a Western style which became one of the best Soviet-period movies of all times.