Rasputin, Dark Servant of Destiny
rated R1996
News!
On October 24, 2000 I received the following,Enjoyed viewing your site. I would like to request another perspective on Rasputin in way of a new musical for consideration on your website. The musical written by composer Michael Rapp was inspired by the movie Rasputin starring Alan Rickman. This is a synopsis of what our musical represents.
Rasputin is a musical exploration of the people, places and events surrounding the Royal Romanov Family and their relationship with the infamous Russian peasant Gregori Rasputin. Written and recorded over a period of three years, the triple CD set is 2 hours and 45 minutes long. The album stars Ted Neeley (Jesus Christ Superstar) and features acclaimed singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom (The Rose), full length narration by international film star, John Hurt (The Elephan Man, Alien) and showcases the talents of more than 100 artists."
Please visit our site: www.rasputinthemusical.com
Thank you in advance for your valuable time and consideration regarding this request.
Kind regards,
Kathy Herder
for the Rasputin Company
The Review
Overall rating: 3 handsRickmaniac rating: 3 hands
I'm probably the wrong person to review this movie. When I was a kid I saw Nicholas And Alexandra in a theater, and that film made such an impression that years later I spent the greater part of 20 months reading Cornell University's collection of books on the subject, plus every book the Masseys have written since. My friend Hope and I both felt that this film lacked the emotional impact of N&A, but then, we never had a chance to see Rasputin in a theater (not a trivial point, since films lose a lot when played on a small screen). Also, I find scenes involving drunkenness or other drug abuse very difficult to watch.
The HBO tv-film Rasputin is interesting, with a spectacular cast featuring some of the greatest actors of the British stage: David Warner as Dr. Botkin, and Ian McKellen as the Tsar, are especially memorable. The clothes are near-replicas of those worn by the Romanovs, and the locations appear authentic. Voice-overs narrate the story from Alexis's point of view at the beginning and at the end, but not consistently throughout the film. I would have preferred no voice-overs since to me film is primarily a visual medium. The boy Freddie Finlay, a wonderful actor, was very good, however.
Alan Rickman portrays Rasputin with great emotional force, and his scenes with Freddie Finlay are very moving. Mr. Rickman does a wonderful job of adding a human dimension to a character who is a mystery. He uses body movement to great effect. His Rasputin is tragic, funny, sexy, and appalling. He deservedly won a Golden Globe, a SAG award, and an Emmy for this role. Still, I would prefer to see him in roles where he is not playing a nut, a villain, or in a period piece.
Rickmaniacs will like his seduction scene, and the table dance ("I am a great man").
Mr. Rickman won the following Best Actor awards: Golden Globe (1996), Emmy (1996), and Screen Actors' Guild (1997)
Manuela's photos
Suggested reading
Nicholas and Alexandra, by Robert K. Massie, Bantam Books; ISBN: 0440363586
The Romanovs: The Final Chapter, by Robert K. Massie, Ballantine Books; ISBN: 0345406400
Links
The official Sir Ian McKellen site, one of the best celebrity sites anywhere, with Notes on the making of the film.
Cinephilia’s Tribute to David Warner
Mt Athos, Where "Every Stone Breathes Prayers", from Smithsonian Magazine, August, 1999
