Film about the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and his relationship to his tsar, Nikolai I.

The great Russian poet and novelist Aleksandr Pushkin is a jealous man, fiercely protective of his marriage to Natalie Pushkina. Tsar Nikolas I is attracted to Natalie and attempts to seduce her. He covers his tracks by encouraging rumors that Pushkin is being cuckolded not by the tsar, but by French envoy Baron D'Anthés. Enraged, Pushkin challenges D'Anthés to a duel. D'Anthés tries to cool the situation by marrying Natalie's sister. But ultimately, Pushkin cannot be restrained from following through on his challenge, with tragic results.—Jim Beaver <[email protected]>