Incognito from St.Petersburg

Incognito from St.Petersburg

Year: 1978

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Leonid Gaidai

Comedy

A comedy based on a classic play ‘Revizor’ by Nikolai Gogol.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Incognito from St.Petersburg yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Incognito from St.Petersburg (1978)

Trace every key event in Incognito from St.Petersburg (1978) 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

Corruption in the town

In the small town of the Russian Empire, the mayor and officials live off bribes and embezzled funds. They drink, gamble, and gossip, keeping the wheels of local power turning for their own benefit. The atmosphere is tense, with money passing hands as a matter of course.

before the inspector's arrival town hall
2

News of the inspector arrives

Alarming news arrives: a stern government inspector from St. Petersburg has been sent to the city, and even worse, a plain-clothes one. The town's rulers scramble to interpret the threat and protect their interests. Tension builds as the possibility of scrutiny looms.

during the planning of the privy council town council chamber
3

Khlestakov's hotel stay

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is staying at a hotel, failing to pay his bills and acting suspiciously. The rumors swirl that he could be the dreaded incognito auditor from St. Petersburg. The town's paranoia grows as everyone watches the mysterious guest.

soon after his arrival hotel
4

Mistaken identity: incognito auditor

The mayor and his staff decide that Khlestakov is the incognito-auditor, the real inspector in disguise. They begin to treat him as a man of high office, hoping to curry favor. Their plan is to extract advantage by pleasing this supposed authority.

shortly after the hotel arrival mayor's office
5

Khlestakov's true status revealed

In truth, Khlestakov is a minor official who arrived penniless after losing at cards. He quickly senses an opportunity to profit from the misbelief that he holds power. He decides to play along, using boasts of his Petersburg position to inflate his demands.

soon after the mistaken identity hotel
6

Borrowing and extortion begin

Khlestakov starts to borrow from the mayor, the judge, and the postmaster, spinning tales of his supposed authority. The more the officials fear him, the more willing they are to hand over money. His swagger grows as the cash flow to the auditor expands.

over several days hotel and town offices
7

Merchants join the payoff

As the deception deepens, merchants and traders bring offerings to the auditor to secure his protection from the mayor's harassment. The town's economy becomes a theater of extortion as fear and opportunism drive exchanges. Khlestakov revels in the impunity.

mid-stay market and town offices
8

Marriage proposal to the mayor's daughter

Crazed by his perceived power, Khlestakov offers marriage to the mayor's daughter and nearly seduces her, feeding on the officials' fear and his own bluster. He then departs, claiming he will visit his uncle.

during the engagement celebration mayor's house during engagement
9

News of the impostor spreads

The postmaster opens a letter that Khlestakov sent to a friend in St. Petersburg and discovers the ruse. He races to inform the mayor and other officials, who react with disbelief and panic. The truth begins to dawn as rumors turn to accusations.

moments after reading the letter post office and mayor's residence
10

Gendarme arrives with the indictment

A harsh voice from a gendarme interrupts the celebrations, informing them that an official from St. Petersburg demands their presence now. The room falls silent as fear turns to dread of exposure. The authorities realize their impropriety is about to be exposed.

immediately after the letter is read town hall
11

The silent confrontation

In a famous silent scene, the officials exchange stunned, wordless glances as the truth sinks in. They realize they’ve been duped by a petty crook who played them with brilliant audacity. The balance of power collapses in that moment.

at the moment of revelation mayor's hall
12

Endgame and aftermath

The impostor's masquerade ends abruptly as the truth comes to light, and the officials face the consequences of their credulity and corruption. The scene closes on exposed pretensions and a hint of accountability to come for the town's rulers.

following the revelation town

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:04

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Incognito from St.Petersburg

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