t had been several years since I last saw RASPUTIN, THE MAD MONK and that had been in an incomplete form. The 2004 Anchor Bay double DVD set from their Hammer Collection had coupled it with THE DEVIL RIDES OUT which featured Christopher Lee as the good guy. The point was to offer a showcase for Lee as both hero and villain. Unfortunately the RASPUTIN DVD had a glitch that occured about an hour into it that lasted about 10 minutes. It made unwatchable a key scene where Rasputin hypnotises the Czarina into doing his bidding. I should have returned the disc and gotten a replacement but I never got around to it. This Shout Factory Blu-Ray not only rectified that problem, the digital upgrade made the movie look and sound the best it ever has.
Now that I have finally seen the complete film, here are my thoughts on it. But first, a digression which ties into my review. Virtually every depiction of Rasputin that I have come across in mainstream media (book, movies, TV) depict him as having highly developed hypnotic powers in addition to his reputation as a hard drinker and sexual libertine. His unbelievably prolonged death as recounted by Prince Yusopov in his bestselling book about Rasputin’s murder has become the stuff of legend. And that is precisely what it is…legend. RasPOOtin (like the current Russian leader) not RasPEWtin was simply shot in the head as rediscovered photographs show. No cyanide cakes, poisoned wine or drowning according to his autopsy. While much less dramatic, it was still effective
One of the many rumors surrounding Rasputin transformed him into a popular stage villain of the day and that was Svengali from the play TRILBY who could hypnotize anyone with just his eyes. The Svengali-like aspect of Rasputin forms the core of Christopher Lee’s performance. In fact one scene where he summons the Czarina’s attendant (Barbara Shelley) to him from across the city is copied straight from John Barrymore’s 1931 film SVENGALI although it’s not as visually dramatic. He is also able to use his eyes to hypnotize Alexandra in another scene (the one I initially missed). In addition to his hypnotic eyes, Christopher Lee has very large hands. That combined with his height and booming bass voice make him as imposing a Rasputin as has ever appeared in movies.
When the movie was first released in cinemas back in 1966, it had a disclaimer (since removed). Hammer went to great pains (to avoid litigation) that this movie was not meant to be historically accurate. They changed the names of the other characters and promoted it as a full blown horror film and not an actual depiction of Rasputin’s life. The real Rasputin was never a monk but a self proclaimed holy man and faith healer and he wasn’t single (he was married and had 3 daughters). While he did indulge in licentious behavior, it was never with direct members of the Czar’s court only with women from Russia’s aristocratic circles There were peasant women as well. He also continued to provide for his wife and daughters even bringing the daughters to St. Petersburg to live with him.
Anthony Hind’s screenplay (as John Elder) is essentially an over-the-top Grand Guignol melodrama with Rasputin as the central figure. Due to the limited budget there is only one at the Russian court featuring a festive ball and it’s very short. As a cost saving measure, RASPUTIN was shot back-to-back with DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS utilizing the same sets and most of the actors. One actor who is not in the latter, Richard Pasco, gives a moving performance as a drunken doctor who falls under Rasputin’s spell. Hammer regular Barbara Shelley also gives a fine performance as a maid-in-waiting to the Czarina who becomes romantically involved with Rasputin and then is callously cast aside. However it’s Christopher Lee in the title role who dominates every scene he’s in.
Director Don Sharp makes the most of the limited resources with his usual crisp editing and dramatic use of lighting. One scene where Rasputin stalks a member of the court who has come to kill him is remarkably suspenseful. It ends with the assailant having acid thrown in his face. This was Sharp’s third and final movie for Hammer and, unlike the other two, it suffered from studio interference which shortened the film and caused the script to be rewritten at the last minute. Nevertheless it remains a hugely entertaining movie with strong performances and an assured visual style. Just don’t take it to be an even remotely accurate portrayal of Russian history which it isn’t and was never intended to be. For “Hammerheads” and especially fans of Christopher Lee, RASPUTIN is a must.
The Capsule Critic 