A classic masterpiece of the Russian cinema, that stems from theater. A 17 century comedy, which probably would be just mildly amusing in a routine performance, here, performed by a cast of immensely brilliant actors (and also friends and very close colegues in life), directed by a very talented director in a style of a musical comedy and set with music by a most generous and wonderful composer, the 300 years old play shines like a restored old Velaskez painting. This is not "costume movie", it is the best performance of the work of "Phoenix of the Spain" that it ever had. This film illustrates that fun in no way has to be vulgar, sloppy and full of cliches, and art is boring only when done by a non-artist nincompoop. The fact that all former USSR is watching these films again after the wave of Western production is absolutely no wonder. This is art, enough said !P.S. The "matching diamond" is film "Dog on a hay" (Sobaka na sene), by another play by de Vega.