Maximilian Schell, Vanessa Redgrave, Omar Sharif, Laurence Olivier and Ursula Andress star in the Emmy Award-winning miniseries based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert K. Massie.

This is the story of Peter I, Tsar of Russia from 1682, and the constant struggle between him, his sister Sophia and the Streltsy, an important Russian military corp. Peter the Great depicts the efforts of Peter in transforming Russia in an "all European" country, importing scientists, costumes, technology and military tactics.