Rasputin (1996)

HBO biopic about the infamous "mad monk" Rasputin from the court of Czar Nicholas II in Russia.

Director:

Uli Edel

Writer:

Peter Pruce

Stars:

Alan Rickman, Greta Scacchi, Ian McKellen

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Rickman	...	Grigori Rasputin
Greta Scacchi	...	Tsarina Alexandra
Ian McKellen	...	Tsar Nicholas II
David Warner	...	Dr. Botkin
John Wood	...	Prime Minister Stolypin
James Frain	...	Prince Felix Yusupov
Ian Hogg	...	Purishkevich
Sheila Ruskin	...	Princess Marisa
Peter Jeffrey	...	Bishop Hermogones
Freddie Findlay	...	Alexei
Julian Curry	...	Dr. Lazovert
László Áron	...	Imperial Chauffeur
János Bata	...	Detective #1
István Bicskei	...	Derevenko
István Bubik	...	Landowner's son

Storyline

In 1910s Russia, Czar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra find their son Alexei, sole heir to the Romanov dynasty, suffering from hemophilia and conventional medicine failing to help him. Alexandra looks into finding holistic treatment and finds Father Grigory Rasputin , a destitute monk who claims he had a vision from the Virgin Mary telling him that the Czar needed him. Though Nicholas and the royal doctor are both skeptical of Rasputin's alleged healing abilities, young Alexei quickly bonds with the charlton/prophet, so he remains in the Royal Court. But Rasputin's constant boozing and womanizing angers the aristocracy and worsens the already unstable tensions between Nicholas and his subjects. With the seeds of revolution brewing, it becomes increasingly apparent that a bad end awaits for the entire Royal Family.

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Plot Keywords:

czar | tzar | bum | decadence | year 1916 | 

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Taglines:

He Was A Magician. A Madman. A Savior And Seducer....

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and brief sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in only eight weeks.

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Goofs

The Romanov daughters all contracted the measles while under house arrest shortly before they were executed. As a result their heads were shaved. At the time of their death the girls did not have hair. In the film all the daughters have long hair when they are executed.

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Quotes

Tsar Nicholas II: [to Alexandra] Smile. I never see you smile. Do you remember the little cottage we stayed in when we visited your family in Germany? And the picnics we used to have, and the songs we sang under the chestnut trees?
Tsarina Alexandra: What in the world made you think of that?
Tsar Nicholas II: And how those fisherman splashed us with their oars and didn't know who we were. We were soaked all over. And how we never ever wanted to leave... we are locked in, the key has been lost and now we must stay there forever.
[they kiss]

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Connections

Version of Rasputin and the Empress (1932)

User Reviews

A great movie!

I saw this film because of my love for Russian history and because I am a fan of Nicholas and Alexandra and I continue to rent it because the film never ceases to amaze me.

Alan Rickman is well cast as the maniac monk who becomes a major influence over the Tsar (Ian McKellen) and his wife (Greta Scacci). Ian McKellen gives a stunning performance as Tsar Nicholas II. Greta Scacci is wonderful as Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna.

There's only one problem with this film. It focuses too much on Nicholas and Alexandra and not enough on Rasputin like the title of the movie says. Nonetheless, it's a wonderful film and should be seen by every high school world history class and history buff.

Details

Country:

USA Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 March 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Rysher / Citadel Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1