Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny [Region 2]

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!

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".

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   Written on November 22, 2002
   Summary: Powerful and Intense!
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 (1997 Golden Globes Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, 1997 Golden Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, 1997 SAG Award Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series, 1996 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini-Series or Special). 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.

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   Written on November 21, 2002
   Summary: Powerful and Intense!
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.