Heart of a Dog

Heart of a Dog

Year: 1988

Runtime: 136 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Vladimir Bortko

ComedyScience FictionDrama

A Soviet adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novella set in 1920s Moscow, the film follows stray dog Sharik who, after a daring experiment by Professor Preobrazhensky, becomes the crude human Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov. Through dark humor and satire it exposes class conflict, the folly of radical reform and human nature, earning praise for its faithful translation, strong performances and layered allegory.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Heart of a Dog (1988)

Trace every key event in Heart of a Dog (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Sharik arrives at the professor's apartment

A weary stray dog is lured into the professor's large Moscow apartment with a piece of sausage. The dog, named Sharik, is taken in and cared for by the maids while living among the professor's medical practice. He remains curious about why he was brought there.

Not long after the October Revolution Professor Preobrazhensky's apartment
2

Sharikov undergoes the experimental transformation

The professor implants the pituitary gland and the testicles of a recently deceased alcoholic and petty criminal, Klim Chugunkin, into Sharik. The operation takes place in the professor's medical space within the apartment. Soon after, Sharik begins to show signs of changing and taking on new traits.

Immediately after the procedure Professor Preobrazhensky's medical suite
3

Sharikov becomes more human and adopts a new name

In the days following the transplant, Sharik begins to take on human traits and language. He inherits the donor's bad manners, aggression, profanity, and drinking, while also adopting the bizarre name Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov. Despite his humanity, he remains prone to cat hatred.

In the days after the transplant Professor's apartment
4

Sharikov finds work with a state department

Sharikov secures a job at the Moscow department for extermination of stray animals. He adapts quickly to his new role and begins to see the world through a bureaucratic lens. His work ties him to the city's new Bolshevist structures.

Shortly after the transformation Moscow department for extermination of stray animals
5

Sharikov allies with Bolshevist building administration

Sharikov associates himself with the new Bolshevist building administration, which seeks to strip part of Professor Preobrazhensky's apartment. This bureaucratic move adds pressure on the professor and heightens the conflict over living space. The alliance marks a darker turn in his behavior.

Around the same period as his work Bolshevist building administration offices in Moscow
6

Sharikov disrupts the professor's home

Sharikov's presence disrupts life at the apartment as he steals money, breaks furniture, and floods the place during a cat chase. The professor and Bormental try to manage repeated chaos that follows his misbehavior. The living space becomes increasingly uninhabitable.

In the following days Professor's apartment
7

Efforts to reform him fail

Preobrazhensky and his assistant Bormental observe that all attempts to reform Sharikov fail. They confront the limits of science and surgery when his criminal tendencies persist. The situation worsens as Sharikov refuses to change.

After ongoing attempts at reform Professor's apartment
8

Sharikov tries to denounce the professor

Sharikov attempts to denounce the professor to the Soviet secret police. This signals a dangerous loyalty to the regime and threatens the doctor's safety. Preobrazhensky becomes aware of the scheme and the looming danger.

During mounting tension Professor's apartment
9

Climax: confrontation and decision to reverse the procedure

Sharikov refuses to leave the apartment, and a violent confrontation ensues when Bormental attacks him. Preobrazhensky then decides to reverse the procedure, hoping to restore order. The reversal marks a turning point in the story.

Climax of events Professor's apartment
10

Sharikov turns back into a dog

The procedure is reversed and Sharikov reverts to a dog. He remembers little of the events, and is content to live in the professor's apartment again. The doctor and Bormental reflect on the limits of their experiment.

After reversal Professor's apartment
11

Epilogue: Sharik remains as a dog in the apartment

Sharik, as a dog, is left living in Preobrazhensky's apartment without further changes. He accepts his fate and the quiet after the chaotic days. The film ends with him coexisting in the same household.

End of the film Professor's apartment

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:33

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Heart of a Dog Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Heart of a Dog

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