A copying error by a military scribe turns the Russian words "the lieutenants, however" into what looks like "lieutenant Kizhe". The Tsar reads the error, and wants to meet this (non-existent) lieutenant. The courtiers, eager to avoid the wrath of the temperamental Tsar, create a Kizhe to serve as their royal scapegoat.
as Tsar Pavel I
as Count von Pahlen
as Princess Gagarina
as Princess Gagarina's companion
as Adjutant
as Fortress commandant
as Scribe
as Lieutenant Sinyukhaev
as Chief physician
as Count Kutaysov (uncredited)
as Grenadier (uncredited)
