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

Writers:

Aleksey Ivanov (screenplay) (as Aleksei Ivanov), Pavel Lungin

Stars:

Pyotr Mamonov, Oleg Yankovskiy, Ramilya Iskander

5 wins & 9 nominations.

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
Andrey Bronnikov	...	Ilidor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Aleksandr Lobanov	...	Mitka Pleshcheev
Aleksandr Makarov	...	Voevoda Buturlin
Artyom Mazunov

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 | russian history | ivan the terrible | 16th century | brutality | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

PG-13

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

Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2009 (2009)

User Reviews

maybe, more than a film

more than a film. it is a form of visual essay about power and religion, about solitude and about the roots, laws and vision of tyranny. it is a fight against Russia's history. a parable. portrait not of Ivan Vasilievich but for a manner, an usual manner of East to use the authority with high force and profound fear. Pyotr Mamonov gives a strange, cold, unpredictable, vulnerable Ivan. a Tsar looking for himself, lost in good intentions and noble projects. but, maybe, the hero is Philip. the voice of Church and good sense. the voice of conscience in a dark circle of confusion. the Metropolit is a splendid role. the last for great Oleg Ynkovsky and that status impose a special status to it. more than a film. maybe, useful subject for reflection. about power. in our time. in each period of history.