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

At the end of the film, nearly before the execution of the Romanov Family, there's an outdoor sequence that portrays Ipatov House. The title says: 'July 16, 1918, Ipatiev House, Yekaterinburg, Siberia'. Despite it being summer time, there is much snow on the roof and near the house. The temperature in Siberia in July is often above 90 F.

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Quotes

Grigori Rasputin: You'll always fail because your soul is dead.
Dr. Botkin: I have performed many autopsies in my time, but I've never located a soul.
Grigori Rasputin: How many memories or emotions have you found?

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Connections

Version of Rasputin and the Empress (1932)

User Reviews

Good drama, mediocre history.

HBO's "Rasputin" is an Emmy winning retelling of an old story around which swirls as much legend as fact. The film stretches the emotional and dramatic moments while condensing the history as it goes for the viscera with Rickman painting a sensationalized portrait of the enigmatic and shadowy title character. A stuttering drama dumbed down for prime time audiences, "Rasputin 1996" should be an entertaining watch for those who like a little history with their television dramas.

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