Rasputin (1996) [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Rasputin (1996) [VHS]
Movie Review: Great Film
Summary: 5 Stars
This film deservese 5 stars for someone daring to pick up where the 1991 discovery had left off. I see some people criticizing the film and they are entitled that right, but this film was beautifully done. The acting was superb, locations were grand, and the portrayal of life in Russia (such as the authentic Orthodox Priest) was extraordinary. 5 Stars!Movie Review: Astonishing portrayal!
Summary: 5 Stars
Though not the greatest film of all time, Rickman's astonishingly complex portrayal of the enchanted monk is among the great male roles of all cinema, comparable to Giannini's breathtaking "Seven Beauties". This is a must for any student of acting.(...)Movie Review: Great actors, bad script--see it for the locations
Summary: 2 Stars
I was very disappointed in this movie. Ian MacKellen and Alan Rickman did the best they could with a very bad script (how many times must Rasputin moan "I didn't ASK to be holy!"?) and factual errors (Rasputin was a nickname, not Father Gregory's surname, etc.). Greta Sacchi was miscast as Alexandra, she didn't have the acting talent or the physical resemblance needed. The locations were great and it is worth renting the film to see them. I can't recommend you purchase the movie though.Movie Review: I'm sorry, my eyes keep glazing over
Summary: 3 Stars
The subject matter is definitely interesting and the black and white news reels interspersed with the film helps to add to the realism. The costumes and backgrounds are crisp, and the soundtrack is interspersed with creepy chimes that make you think of falling snow. I really don't know why I can't get all the way through this movie. I've tried to watch it about 5 times and it puts me to sleep every single time.
Maybe it's just the fact that the execution is sloppy and the the characters are unsympathetic and rather palely drawn. Maybe it's the fact that there's a scene in the movie that drags on for about 5 minutes where Rasputin is dancing and carousing with Gypsy women on stage. Maybe it's just the fact that the actor that played Rasputin did well enough that the character was genuinely disgusting and sinister in a way that is truly creepy. Maybe it's just the fact that I have trouble following everything that is going on.
Either way, I found this movie ridiculously hard to watch.
Movie Review: The Boy does Have Magic !
Summary: 5 Stars
So what happens when one of the most wildly improbable figures of history is played by one of the most spelbinding of actors ? Alan Rickman won both The Emmy and The Golden Globe awards for his portrayal of Rasputin. When Rickman accepted the award he thanked the director for allowing him to be 'self-indulgent'.
( Note to directors: If you can get Alan in your film, let him be as self indulgent as he wants!)
The script is intelligently written, it starts with a V.O. of the Czar's young son played over images of Hitler, Stalin and their wars. The Czarevich asks why we ushered in the most violent century in history? Why his good father and mother were hated and yet were replaced with monsters. . .
This is a good start. We are not going to get corny here.
On film, Rasputin, the so called "Mad Monk " ( he was neither ) has, like Cardinal Richelieu, become synonimous with hammy historical melodrama.
There have been dozens of attempts to dramatize his story and, graded on their merits, let alone on a curve by comparison to this great film, they have been er...less than brilliant. Even including a 1932 version with John, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore ( The only film all 3 appeared in together ) to much hoakier renderings.
And for those of us who DO know Russian history, yep. This time it's accurate.
Ian McKellan heads the superb supporting cast. Everything comes together and plays wonderfully.