Rasputin (1996)

Rasputin convinces the Tzarina and later the Tzar of his abilities, so he has a place in court, although he is a very embarrassing man, uneducated, unpredictable and too fond of wine and gypsy prostitutes. Behind the scenes Russian people suffer, the First world war (predicted by Rasputin) is started and the last minutes of the Romanov family are at hand. Everything is told very economically, nothing too much and yet everything you need to know, with authentic film material cut into the story.
The film is a feast for the eyes and mind, even though some historical facts aren't exact. Anyway, this isn't a documentary. As a story it works like a dream, the actors are unbelievably good - so it really feels unfair to start talking about Rickman and not others. So I'm just saying: they are all wonderful. But the movie is called "Rasputin".

I've recently looked up films of Alan Rickman, partly because some of them are hard to find, but mostly because his way of acting is simply addictive. I think I finally know, why. It's a kind of pornography - of human soul. (Which is an embarrassing discovery, porn really isn't my cup of tea...) His Rasputin isn't just a calculating monk, who sees an opportunity to get a comfortable life, wine and women and power over people, but a man, who lives from moment to moment, uneducated, without manners, sensual, in some ways stupid and in some ways clever. At times you see a strong, manipulative, hypnotic monk who makes you believe in God and Virgin Mary and seems to be able to look into your soul, at times there is child-like sincerity and vulnerability. He believes he has a mission, but it also gives him pain, he sees things but doesn't see, how his conduct affects the falling empire. "I didn't choose to be holy!" he says like a weak human being, who has been trusted with a burden, that is much too heavy. Strong, vulnerable, wise, fallable, loving, selfish... Is this the real Rasputin? Very possibly. Human beings are just as mixed and as capable of being both angelic and devilish as Rickman shows - in this and other movies.

Oh yes, I felt great pity for Rasputin, though I wouldn't want him living in my house. And I'm glad I don't know Rickman in person, he seems to know too well, what we people are like. Who wants her mind to be x-rayed? Even by Rickman (who is, I admit, in his own way, enchanting)?

Watch this movie, if you want to understand history, people or acting. Look at these actors and actresses, they don't act, they are the characters. Rickman is just the best example of how to become someone else than one really is, whether it is Rasputin, Mesmer or other things he's done. Watch this!


"his blood is green !"   February 12, 2003
Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California)
21 out of 28 found this review helpful

This film takes place in one of the darkest years in Russian history, 1916; it is interspersed with actual footage and photographs from that time that are startling and full of pathos.
Rasputin, part holy man, part womanizer and seducer, was a pivotal character in history, and Alexei Petrenko is superb in the part, and gives us a manic, dynamic portrayal of the "lecherous cur", with a marvelous physical resemblance.

Elem Klimov, who also directed the epic "Come and See", tells this fascinating story with passion and meticulous attention to detail, while Leonid Kalashnikov's lush cinematography, in amber tones, has the look of the paintings from that era. Alfred Schnitke's score also adds much to the film.
Anatoli Romashin believably plays Nicholas II as an emotionally immature and politically naive tsar. Because of Rasputin's curative effect on their son, afflicted with hemophilia (the genetic disorder he inherited from his great-grandmother Queen Victoria), the Tsar and Tsarina gave him enormous power, even to following his "visions" on tactics for the devastating war that was in progress.

A film that was banned for many years, it is a riveting depiction of one of the strangest and most scandalous figures in history, who had a huge influence in the downfall of the Russian monarchy, and consequently, as the film ends by saying, "the world would never be the same".


I admit my stupidity and lavish my praise!   July 12, 2003
J. Fryer (Nicholasville, KY)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

I know zilch about the Russian history and have viewed no other film on this subject, therefore, I can make no educated comparisons to either reality or other entertainment offerings.

As a connoisseur of the movies, I can categorically state that from the moment I saw the eyes of Tamas Toth (the young Rasputin), until I was treated to the presence of Alan Rickman (the adult Rasputin), through the closing credits I was transported to another world entirely.

No other young actor could have been better cast to make you believe were seeing through those amazing eyes into the mind of a young Alan Rickman. Definitely no other actor could have given the performance of a lifetime as did Rickman in portraying the earthy, maniacal, confused, yet hypnotic, charming, and persuasive character of Grigori Rasputin. Charisma and sexuality ooze out of every nuance of this worldly man of God. You never once question that a princess or even a Tsarina would let this unkempt, rough, vulgar, unwashed commoner touch her soft, delicate, royal skin. In fact, you wonder instead how she could show such restraint and resist touching him for even a moment while in his presence. This movie contains what I consider one of the screen's all-time best film kisses.

There is more to the film than all that of course. Historically correct or not, there is an intriguing, entertaining story of Russian Royalty, love, betrayal, war, religious fervor, and much more.

The actors portraying the Romanov family were excellent, particularly young Freddie Findlay (Alexei, heir to the throne). The palace settings and outdoor locations were lavish beyond description. The gorgeous music perfectly meshed with film.

There are not enough adjectives, nor enough awards, to describe or honor the acting talents of Alan Rickman, particularly in this film. He became Rasputin in a manner that caused me to completely forget I was watching an actor, and still always be aware this was the work of a SUPERB actor.

Never a big fan of historical drama, I have to thank Alan Rickman for his wide choice of roles. As a fan I have exposed myself to many genres they I may have never otherwise viewed in an effort to catch every wonderful moment of Rickman captured on film. Not one film or performance has failed to entertain and amaze; certainly this is one of his best.

If you haven't seen the film, you deserve to watch it soon. If you are an Alan Rickman fan and you haven't seen 'Rasputin' - shame on you!


Riveting and BRILLIANT!   October 3, 2000
Cybamuse (Fuzzy Europe)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

From the opening strains of music, I was sucked in hook, line and sinker! This movie is absolutely BRILLIANT! Alan Rickman's award-winning portryal of Rasputin, the monk who is accredited with the collapse of the Russian Empire was a tour de force. Rickman fills the screen with his charasmatic presence, but never once as himself - only delivering an absolutely correct depiction of Rasputin (or at least, the Rasputin described in books), right down to the manic way in which Rasputin spoke, his lustful ways, his unkepmpt manner, the way in which he treated women, himself, those in power. I loved it! I have yet to watch this movie and think, "This is Alan Rickman playing Rasputin" - every time, I get sucked into the character, Rasputin, instead.

However, it wasn't just Alan Rickman who made this movie - Ian McKellam was incredible as Nicholas II, not only looking eerily like him, but again, mimicking the real Nicholas II in mannerisms and in the way he interacted with those around him. It is just plain spooky. Personally, I think he should have got an emmy as well. To top it off, the cinematography and music were just about the most perfect match creating a wonderful atmopshere which just whisks you away from the real world for 90 minutes.

Although this movie set me off on a spree of learning about Rasputin, Nicholas, Alexandra, and the collapse of the Russian Empire, which does introduce a whole lot of plot errors, this film is still an absolute joy to watch just because of the powerful acting delivered by all the cast and the wonderful manner in which the story unfolds. Recommend this film to ANYONE - whether interested in Russian history or not, because if you can't be bothered with the history, then just relax in the fairy tale.


Powerful and Intense!   November 21, 2002
Carol Tessen (Bartlett, Tennessee USA)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

Alan Rickman stars as Gregory Efimovich Rasputin, a self-styled monk who rose from obscurity to social prominence in Russia at the turn of the century. This movie follows pretty closely what history records of Rasputin's life and his dealings with the House of Romanov. Alan Rickman puts in the performance of a lifetime as Rasputin and it is easy to understand why he won the awards he did for this movie ... Greta Scacchi and Ian McKellen also star in this video and both turn in stellar performances.

Whether you're a history buff or Alan Rickman fan (or both), this is a must see! However, it is not for anyone under 18 because of the strong sexual content.