Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)

Czar Nicholas II, the inept monarch of Russia, insensitive to the needs of his people, is overthrown and exiled to Siberia with his family.

Director:

Franklin J. Schaffner

Writers:

Edward Bond (additional dialogue), James Goldman (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman, Roderic Noble

Won 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Jayston	...	Nicholas
Janet Suzman	...	Alexandra
Roderic Noble	...	Alexis
Ania Marson	...	Olga
Lynne Frederick	...	Tatiana
Candace Glendenning	...	Marie
Fiona Fullerton	...	Anastasia
Harry Andrews	...	Grand Duke Nicholas (Nikolasha)
Irene Worth	...	The Queen Mother Marie Fedorovna
Tom Baker	...	Rasputin
Jack Hawkins	...	Count Fredericks
Timothy West	...	Dr. Botkin
Katherine Schofield	...	Tegleva
Jean-Claude Drouot	...	Gilliard
John Hallam	...	Nagorny

Storyline

The tragic story of Nicholas II, the last Czar of Russia, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. It is an inside look into the private lives of Nicholas and his wife Alexandra, their daughters, and the painful secret which bound the Imperial Couple to the mystical Rasputin, and the eventual execution of the entire family.

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Plot Keywords:

czar | rasputin | czarina | execution | siberia | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Russian

Release Date:

13 December 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nicholas y Alexandra

Filming Locations:

Sa Conca Beach, S'Agaró, Castell-Paltja d'Aro, Girona, Cataluña, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Horizon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

183 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (UK release) Mono (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lindsay Anderson was asked to direct.

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Goofs

The 1918 wintertime scene where the family is exiled in a log cabin is wrong. The royal family was exiled to a Governor's Mansion, not a cabin, when they were in the custody of Kerensky's Provisional Government, before the Bolsheviks took over.

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Quotes

[after the assassination attempt on Count Stolypin]
Tsar Nicholas II: He's a good man. They always kill good men. The ones who've helped them most. They killed my grandfather. He freed the serfs, you know, he helped them. So they threw a bomb. Stolypin's a good man.
[feels in his pocket]
Tsar Nicholas II: I can't find a match.
Vice Premier Kokovstov: They've found the man who did it.
Tsar Nicholas II: Man?
Vice Premier Kokovstov: Some sort of revolutionary.
Tsar Nicholas II: Damn them all. You help them, and they kill you for it. Give them Dumas, and they give you bombs. I want them paid in kind. Do you understand...

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Connections

Version of Rasputin (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Yankee Doodle"
(uncredited)
American traditonal

User Reviews

Great Movie..great acting!

I have always been fascinated by Russia's last tsar and his family. I have literally read dozens of books as well as articles about them. This movie puts into perspective what I have known all along. I came across this movie (VHS form) over 10 years ago. I've read Robert K Massie's book and although the movie can never be as concise as a book, it skillfully captures the mood and developed the plot really well as the movie progresses. The casting also deserved a big applause. Jayston and Suzman did a wonderful job portraying the real tsar and tsarista. The only thing I guess (and it is not fault of theirs) is perhaps better sounds and graphics. I had to turn up my volume really high to hear what they are saying especially if the actors speak softly as demanded by the mood of that scene. Oh well..it's the early 70's..what can we expect. Great movie...i would recommend it to everyone.