Tsar (2009)

In 16th-century Russia in the grip of chaos, Ivan the Terrible strongly believes he is vested with a holy mission. Believing he can understand and interpret the signs, he sees the Last ... See full summary »

Director:

Pavel Lungin

Writer:

Aleksei Ivanov (screenplay)

Stars:

Pyotr Mamonov, Oleg Yankovskiy, Ramilya Iskander

Cast

Credited cast:
Pyotr Mamonov	...	Ivan The Terrible
Oleg Yankovskiy	...	Metropolitanate Philipp
Ramilya Iskander	...	Mariya Temryukovna
Anastasiya Dontsova	...	Masha
Aleksandr Domogarov	...	Aleksei Basmanov
Aleksandr Ilin	...	Fedka Basmanov
Ville Haapasalo	...	Heinrich Staden (as Ville Khaapasalo)
Aleksey Frandetti	...	Kai-Bulat
Ivan Okhlobystin	...	Vassian
Yuriy Kuznetsov	...	Malyuta Skuratov
Aleksey Makarov	...	General Kolychev
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andrey Bronnikov
Aleksandr Makarov	...	Voevoda Buturlin
Artyom Mazunov
Aleksandr Negodailov

Storyline

In 16th-century Russia in the grip of chaos, Ivan the Terrible strongly believes he is vested with a holy mission. Believing he can understand and interpret the signs, he sees the Last Judgment approaching. He establishes absolute power, cruelly destroying anyone who gets in his way. During this reign of terror, Philip, the superior of the monastery on the Solovetsky Islands, a great scholar and Ivan's close friend, dares to oppose the sovereign's mystical tyranny. What follows is a clash between two completely opposite visions of the world, smashing morality and justice, God and men. A grand-scale film with excellent leading roles by Mamonov and Yankovsky. An allegory of Stalinist Russia.

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Plot Keywords:

russia | orthodox | one word title

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Rezo Films [France]

Country:

Russia

Language:

Russian

Release Date:

4 November 2009 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Car

Filming Locations:

Suzdal, Vladimir province, Russia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pavel Lungin Studio, Profit Cinema International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Pozner: Pavel Lungin (2009)

User Reviews

Banal, if well filmed and acted

We all know Ivan the Terrible was a mad tyrant, and many know that Philip was a Saint. The film shows little more, and little depth to Ivan, and none to any other character beyond Philip. Why does Ivan act the way he does? Is it just madness? Or is it related as some say to the death of his wife? Or to religious extremism? The film doesn't say. Why do the lesser characters behave the way they do? The film doesn't hint at any explanation. Why is such a mad tyrant able to rule? The film doesn't say (hint: he actually accomplished a lot in the earlier part of his rule). The film implies all the churchmen were saints, when in fact many (understandably) collaborated with Ivan. It is beautifully filmed, and well acted, but ultimately shallow.