Heart of a Dog

In the frosty winter of 1924, a stray dog roams the streets of Moscow in search of food. His unfortunate encounter with boiling water leaves him in pain, lying helplessly in a doorway as despair takes hold of him.

Sharik's fortunes change when he meets the kind surgeon Filipp Filippovich Preobrazhensky. Offered a piece of sausage, Sharik joyously follows the professor to his home, hoping for a better life ahead.

Once inside the professor's spacious apartment, Sharik is introduced to the household members, including Doctor Ivan Arnoldovich Bormenthal and two female servants. The contrast between his past and new life begins to take shape.

Professor Preobrazhensky openly critiques communism despite his successful medical practice. His position shields him from the scrutiny of the ruling RCP(b), providing a glimpse into the socio-political climate of the time.

As Sharik gains strength, he enjoys walks around bustling Moscow, proudly wearing his new collar. He confidently dismisses the taunts of street dogs, savoring his newfound status.

Professor Preobrazhensky reveals his true intentions to transform Sharik and prepares for an unusual experiment. Locked in the bathroom, Sharik plots his revenge, but is eventually drawn into the laboratory.

The groundbreaking surgery begins as Preobrazhensky, assisted by Bormenthal, trepans Sharik's skull to implant a human pituitary gland. The combining of human traits comes from a petty criminal, leading to a life-altering procedure.

Weeks later, the household witnesses Sharik's transformation into a disheveled human being named Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov. His crude behavior and disregard for societal norms create humorous yet challenging situations.

Sharikov's antics lead to chaos in the apartment, including a disastrous flood caused by his reckless behavior. His growing assertiveness culminates in a disturbing episode where he attempts to assault a servant.

In a moment of desperation, Bormenthal seeks to eliminate Sharikov, whom he calls 'a man with the heart of a dog.' Preobrazhensky resists, emphasizing the value of all life despite Sharikov's troublesome actions.

Upon returning, Sharikov boasts about his new government job catching stray cats, claiming it as a contribution to the proletariat. He introduces a female coworker as his common-law wife, much to her shock and dismay.

Emboldened by his new identity, Sharikov denounces Professor Preobrazhensky to the secret police. The situation escalates when he returns with a weapon, leading to an intense confrontation in the apartment.

Following Sharikov's departure, a sense of relief envelops the household. Preobrazhensky and Bormenthal find comfort in the absence of the disorder previously brought by Sharikov's brash behavior.

The tranquility is interrupted when the police arrive with a search warrant for Sharikov. Unfazed, Preobrazhensky instructs Bormenthal to find Sharikov, who ironically is transforming back into a dog.

The transformation completes as Sharik returns to his original status as a well-tended dog. However, hints suggest that the professor’s experiments may continue, blurring the lines between his past and future.