Review of Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) by Matthew B — 03 Jul 2007

The film, as a whole, skimps occasionally on historical accuracy, but screenwriter James Goldman does present a functional drama animating the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. Michael Jayston and Janet Suzman are good, not great, as the title monarchs, but they are supported by an extraordinary cast: Tom Baker (as a terrifyingly convincing Rasputin), Harry Andrews (a brilliant character actor), Jack Hawkins, Irene Worth, Michael Redgrave, Alan Webb, and Laurence Olivier (Sophoclean as the ignored Count Witte).

Schaffner definitely scores in this grand, sumptuous epic, though it lacks the perfection of Patton.