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Rasputin

  • TV Movie
  • 1996
  • R
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
Alan Rickman and Greta Scacchi in Rasputin (1996)
BiographyDramaHistory

HBO biopic about the infamous "mad monk" Rasputin from the court of Czar Nicholas II in Russia.HBO biopic about the infamous "mad monk" Rasputin from the court of Czar Nicholas II in Russia.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
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    4.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Uli Edel
    • Writer
      • Peter Pruce
    • Stars
      • Alan Rickman
      • Greta Scacchi
      • Ian McKellen
    • 38User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 8 wins & 10 nominations total

    Photos30

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    Top cast55

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    Alan Rickman
    Alan Rickman
    • Grigori Rasputin
    Greta Scacchi
    Greta Scacchi
    • Tsarina Alexandra
    Ian McKellen
    Ian McKellen
    • Tsar Nicholas II
    David Warner
    David Warner
    • Dr. Botkin
    John Wood
    John Wood
    • Prime Minister Stolypin
    James Frain
    James Frain
    • Prince Felix Yusupov
    Ian Hogg
    Ian Hogg
    • Purishkevich
    Sheila Ruskin
    • Princess Marisa
    Peter Jeffrey
    Peter Jeffrey
    • Bishop Hermogones
    Freddie Findlay
    • Alexei
    Julian Curry
    • Dr. Lazovert
    László Áron
    László Áron
    • Imperial Chauffeur
    János Bata
    • Detective
    István Bicskei
    • Derevenko
    István Bubik
    • Landowner's son
    John Cater
    John Cater
    • Efim
    László Csurka
    • Man in Sable Coat
    Konstantin Frolov
    Konstantin Frolov
    • Bolshevik Soldier #1
    • (as Constantine Frolov)
    • Director
      • Uli Edel
    • Writer
      • Peter Pruce
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews38

    6.94.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7JamesHitchcock

    Watchable Historic Drama

    Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin was a controversial figure, but there can be no doubt that he was also a remarkable one, even if one also regards him as a charlatan. For an uneducated peasant to have risen to be the close friend and confidant of one of the world's most powerful monarchs is no mean achievement. What, however, caused him to live in the popular imagination was his own bloody murder in 1916, followed by that of the Imperial Family two years later in the wake of the Russian Revolution. Had there been no Revolution, Rasputin would today be a minor figure, forgotten by all except specialists in the history of early twentieth century Russia.

    It is hardly surprising that there have been a number of films about him, the first- presumably an anti-Russian propaganda film- being made in Germany only a year after his death. "Rasputin and the Empress" from 1932 is remembered today less by film buffs than by it is lawyers, as it gave rise to a lawsuit which led to one of the leading cases in English libel law. Hammer's famously inaccurate "Rasputin the Mad Monk" from 1966 is essentially a horror film dressed up as a historical drama. (The inaccuracy starts with the title; Rasputin, a self-proclaimed "holy man", was never a monk). He appears in "Nicholas and Alexandra" from 1971, but only in a supporting role; as its title suggests that film deals primarily with the doomed Imperial couple.

    This film is probably the best filmed version of his life that I have seen, despite one or two historical inaccuracies. The main reason is the fine performance by Alan Rickman in the title role. The historical Rasputin seems to have had great charisma and a certain spirituality; his claim to possess abilities as a faith healer may have been genuine. Combined with these qualities, however, were his notorious moral weaknesses; he was both a drunkard and a womaniser. (His enemies seized gleefully on the similarity between his surname and the Russian adjective "rasputniy", meaning "debauched"). His influence over the Tsar was not always a beneficent one, although it is noteworthy that he opposed the fateful decision- to go to war with Germany in 1914- which was eventually to lead to the downfall of the Romanovs. Rickman, often good when portraying morally ambiguous figures like Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" films, brings out all these contradictory sides of his character, giving us a portrait of a strange, driven individual, both mystic and fanatic, holy man and sinner.

    Ian McKellen, whose portrayal owes something to Michael Jayston's in "Nicholas and Alexandra" is good as the Tsar, a hesitant, nervous autocrat, a kindly family man but despotic ruler. I did not, however, care for Greta Scacchi as Alexandra. (I much preferred Janet Suzman). Scacchi, previously better known for playing sexually provocative temptresses in films like "Heat and Dust", "White Mischief" and "Presumed Innocent", never seems either sufficiently regal or sufficiently commanding. Alexandra was the dominant partner in her marriage, and the influence of this German-born woman over the Tsar was resented by many Russians, especially after 1914). At least Scacchi gets to keep her clothes on in this film; it is a popularly held, although inaccurate, belief that Rasputin was (in the words of Boney M) "lover of the Russian Queen", but this canard is not repeated in the film.

    As a whole, the film is not quite as good as "Nicholas and Alexandra", lacking the earlier film's epic grandeur and visual splendour. It never, however, sets out to be a major epic of that sort, having been made for television rather than the cinema screen. As a made-for-TV historical drama it is very watchable. 7/10
    6=G=

    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.
    7Petie3-2

    Very good comments

    Allen Rickman decided to become Rasputin. He did a lot of research, introspection and study. I fear for his soul. Historically as accurate as it could be, there are flights from and to events which are poetic license. Rasputin was an original, not a Barnum, nor a John the Baptist. The time in Russia from 1907 to 1917 was a catastrophe of Greek proportions. Masses were shot, murdered. The White Russians rebelled against the Communists and they had a war which rivalled the brutality of the Great War. Finally Lenin died and Stalin took over for thirty years of murder, failed five year plans, and total war against the Germans. Was Czarism really that bad?
    russnickm

    Movie's Accuracy is offset by obvious omissions

    For once, after all the nonsense written and shown about the infamous Grigori Rasputin, this film makes an excellent effort at accuracy and objectivity. The characters look incredibly like the historical people they play: Alexis (The heir and narrator), the Tsar (Masterfully played by Ian Mc Kellam), the four daughters; unfortunately, the character of the Empress, Alexandra, is terrible; not only does she not look like her but portrays none of Alexandra's personality (Unlike the excellent job done by Janet Suzman in Nicholas and Alexandra). The movie is breathtaking in its on-location shots, especially St. Petersburg and the interiors of the palace. With so much effort put into accuracy, though, I don't understand how, with the climax of the film, Rasputin's murderers are incomplete: it was not just Felix Yussupov but the Tsar's nephew and favorite, Grand Duke Dmitri, who pulled off the killing. This movie completely excludes Dmitri. Still, if the viewer is just looking for an above average account of the strangest period in history (Without looking TOO close), this movie will do the trick.
    9cybamuse

    Brilliantly filmed, brilliantly told

    Although they script writers took the sensationalized story route every time, they nonetheless wrote a powerful script that can't help but have you foaming at the mouth to learn more about Rasputin and the breakdown of the Russian Empire. If you know very little about the collapse of the Russian Empire, then this film would have to be the best introduction you will get.

    The cinematography in this film was absolutely gorgeous with wonderful contrasting colors illustrating the richness of the Romanov life, the bleak coldness of the Siberian plains and the stark conditions of the Russian Empire. The music was hauntingly beautiful and complemented the film perfectly. When music suits a film, it IS noticeable!

    And then there is the acting... Alan Rickman is sensational as Rasputin, portraying the moody and incoherent Rasputin with a fabulous chameleon-like zeal. Ian McKellum so perfectly portrays the Tsar, Nicholas II (or at least, as one would perceive Nicholas to be from history books) that it is plain spooky! Great Scacchi is also wonderful as the Tsarina.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The cliffhanger ending suggests Alexei may have survived the massacre at Ipatev House, as his body (along with one of his sisters') had never been recovered. However, approximately eleven years after this movie's release, remains found near the Ipatev House site were unearthed and confirmed to be Alexei's, thus rendering this movie's ambiguous finale anachronistic.
    • Goofs
      The movie shows various historical events in incorrect time sequence. For example, the movie depicts Stolypin as being assassinated after the outbreak of the First World War, whereas he was assassinated in 1911 and the First World War started in 1914. Similarly, the movie has the Empress saying at the 1913 Romanov tercentenary celebration that she has been suffering for twelve years on account of the Tsarevich's illness, whereas in fact the Tsarevich was born in 1904.
    • Quotes

      Grigori Rasputin: Before we can repent, we have to sin.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1996)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 23, 1996 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Hungary
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny
    • Filming locations
      • St. Petersburg, Russia
    • Production companies
      • HBO Films
      • Rysher / Citadel Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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