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      Rasputin

      R 1996 1 hr. 44 min. History Drama List
      Reviews 79% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score In the early 20th Century, Russian Czar Nicholas II (Ian McKellen) and his wife, Czarina Alexandra (Greta Scacchi), bring crazed monk Rasputin (Alan Rickman) into their royal court, believing he can heal their gravely ill son. But despite claiming a special connection with God, Rasputin also exhibits volatile and nefarious behavior, which threatens to corrupt the royal family from within. Meanwhile, the political situation outside the palace walls becomes increasingly tumultuous. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Steve D Solid because of its star. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/18/23 Full Review jon c Uli Idel directs one of the most infamous points in time and figures in Russia. In the opening in 1991 the remains of the Russian royals are uncovered in their forest outside their palace. Aleski the youngest narrates the story of how everything came to be. To this day Aleski and his remains have never been recovered since the slaughter of the Czars. The most violent century in history took place in Russia. Alan Rickman portrays Father Grigori Rasputin. Ever since he was a boy in 1833 he's said to have gifted abilities. As a monk he is often praised or downright ridiculed for performing such miracles. But Aleski is healed as a sick child in need. Ian McKellan is Czar Nicholas II of Imperial Russia. His wife is Czarina Alexandra. After witnessing the child's healing the family takes him in to be on the royal court. But as time goes on the politics in St. Petersburg spirals out of control. Rasputin's erratic behavior even starts to undermine the Czar's royal status. Naturally he's suspicious of Rasputin's background and his true motives. After 300 years the empire is on the brink of collapse. Nicholas is also worried about the bad publicity he's bringing and that the revolutionaries will bring down his reign. Germany also becomes the enemy in the World War I. Alan Rickman gives such a committed performance as this supposed holy man but also an unstable individual. Ian McKellan is solid as Nicholas who just wants to preserve his seat of power but is bothered by Rasputin's bizarre nature. Sure some of this is greatly exaggerated but they got the time period nailed down to the sets, the costumes, the corrupt political climate, and the sad fall of a once powerful family unit. It's amazing too how the country's population can lay quick to blame someone for the influence of the war and the many soldiers whose lives were unfairly lost. Rasputin was known as one of the most villainous individuals in the nation's history; maybe he meant well in his mindset but all that twisted faith corrupted more than just his soul. The Czars payed the ultimate price for their reign as well. A good HBO movie despite some of the historical liberties taken. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Insightful. Engaging. Well acted. Well scripted. You come away learning a substantial amount and having fun in the process. Great pace. Intriguing plot. Top Notch. RIP Alan Rickman Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member A fascinating take with the British legends of Snape and Gandalf acting the hell out of it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A very interesting movie and talented actors. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most underrated films I've ever seen. Alan Rickman gives a fantastic performance as always, Scacchi and McKellan also give very good performances. More people should check this one out, it's really good. The script also is excellent. One of the best tv movies I've ever seen. I have individual thoughts about the beginning and the end. The beginning is the reason this doesn't get 5 stars. Alexi's narration is annoying (although his on screen performance is fine) and the kid who played young Rasputin (before the 20 years later screen) was pretty bad. The ending just makes me want to see a Siberia survival film with Alexi and Anastaisia. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      BBC.com Rated: 2/5 Jun 12, 2001 Full Review Michael Szymanski Zap2it.com Rated: 3/5 Sep 25, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 4, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the early 20th Century, Russian Czar Nicholas II (Ian McKellen) and his wife, Czarina Alexandra (Greta Scacchi), bring crazed monk Rasputin (Alan Rickman) into their royal court, believing he can heal their gravely ill son. But despite claiming a special connection with God, Rasputin also exhibits volatile and nefarious behavior, which threatens to corrupt the royal family from within. Meanwhile, the political situation outside the palace walls becomes increasingly tumultuous.
      Director
      Uli Edel
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Sound Mix
      Stereo