Review of Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966) by Robert S — 02 Sep 2011

From Hammer Films, at the top of their game at the time, comes the true story of one of the oddest and mysterious figures in Russian history. This has a spirited and quite unhinged lead performance. It is a dark film, but it has all the hallmarks of a good Hammer film, with their usual tricks and shocks on display.

This is the story of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (Christopher Lee), a mystic monk who cures the sick wife of an innkeeper (Derek Francis). In celebration, Rasputin drinks all the wine in the inn and doesn't pay for it, and it ends in an orgy of sex and violence.

Despite being berated by the religious council for debauchery, Rasputin claims he has magical healing powers. Rasputin goes to Moscow, and befriends Dr. Zargo (Richard Pasco), who is associated with the Russian Royal Family.

Rasputin uses Zargo to get close to the Tsarina (Renà (C)e Asherson) and the Tsarina's lady-in-waiting Sonia (Barbara Shelley), the latter he manipulates. Sonia's brother Peter (Dinsdale Landen), is angered by Rasputin's behaviour, and calls in Ivan (Francis Matthews) to deal with Rasputin.

Although it's a true story, it does take liberties with what happened. But, Lee seems to be having a good time in the lead role. It doesn't quite get under the skin of what really happened, and is tame by today's comparisons, but it's still good to watch.