Archangel is a courageous if not altogether successful attempt to emulate the styles and techniques of silent films within a talking-picture framework. Kyle McCulloch plays a crippled British officer, who during World War 1 takes up residence in the Russian town of Archangel. Here he falls in love with a woman who is the living image of his deceased lover. This arouses the jealousy of McCulloch's landlord's wife, who covets the soldier for herself. While it is obvious that director Guy Maddin has put a great deal of love and effort into this project, it is liable to confuse anyone not familiar with the "language" of silent movies.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide