A hugely successful TV adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's world-famous novel. The young Prince Myshkin returns to Russia from Switzerland, where he underwent treatment at a mental institution. En route he meets the wealthy merchant Rogozhin, who talks of his passionate love for Nastasya, a popular St. Petersburg courtesan. Upon his arrival to St. Petersburg, the Prince introduces himself to his distant relatives, the Yepanchins. One of their daughters, Aglaya, is destined to play a fatal role in Myshkin's life, as is Nastasya, whose portrait he accidentally glimpses at the Yepanchins'. The role of Prince Myshkin catapulted Mironov to Russian superstardom.

The miniseries has been televised in Finland, Slovenia, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and China.

Yevgeny Mironov's recognition for the film:

• Outstanding Actor of the Year Golden Nymph Award in the Television Drama Category, the Monte Carlo Film Festival, 2004
• Best Actor Award, TEFI National Television Awards, 2003
• Best Actor on Television Award, Golden Eagle National Film Awards, 2004
• The Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Literary Award "for the profound screen portrayal of the character of Prince Myshkin, which gives new impetus for the understanding of Christian values inherent in Russian classical literature", 2004