I think this is a brilliant documentary, and am shocked at the "meh" attitude of the other reviewers...it's is a fly on the wall view of Putin's rise to power, and it plays like a psychological thriller without a third act. Watch Putin as he betrays everyone who helps him. Check out his wife in the celebration of his election in his campaign rooms, looking like a damned soul in hell. Watch as Yeltsin slowly realizes he's been used, waiting for a thank you phone call that never comes. It is all so acutely realized, you can't believe you are not watching a dramatic reenactment. And Putin toggles back and forth behaviourally from nice low key guy to a strangely unsettling presence even among his enthusiastic supporters. He is hardly even trying to connect with them..it is FASCINATING.

However, this documentary should have been reduced by a half, and mixed with other footages to better show who this newcomer, Putin, was and how he let perspire his future politics (as it was clearly stated by the wife of the director the night Elstine announnced he was retiring!).

Some very good part though, especially the discussion on the national anthem.

As a person with general knowledge of Russian and Putin is was very interested to see some unique footage from the start of Putin his reign. It was interesting to see a young Putin come to power. But since the material was filmed as part of a PR-video it didn't really contain very critical questions. Even though this is understandable because nobody knew how things would turn out (Putin being in power for more or less 18 years). For me the documentary also missed more explanation about what exactly was going. It was a fly on the wall type of film but it didn't manage to be much more than that. If it makes one thing clear though it is the excellent understanding of Putin and his helpers that PR and (public) image are key to getting power and maintaining it.