Rasputin, the Mad Monk
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Rasputin, the Mad Monk
Plot
The life story of the legendary Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin gets the highly fictionalized Hammer Films treatment with this liberal mix of horror and history that presents the mysterious sage as a demonic, otherworldly creature. Christopher Lee stars as the titular monk, who gains entrée to the world of the tsar by casting a hypnotic spell on two courtiers, Dr. Zargo (Richard Pasco) and the beautiful Sonia (Barbara Shelley). Becoming a trusted aide and confidant of the tsarina (Renee Ashershon), Rasputin threatens the national power structure. After Sonia kills herself, Zargo resolves to kill the interloper, but stabbing, poisoning, and even bullets don't seem to be able to kill the diabolical Rasputin. ~ Karl Williams, RoviReview
The legend of Rasputin has always held elements of the bizarre and supernatural, but this Hammer Films script -- by Anthony Hinds under his pseudonym of "John Elder" -- reinvents the tale as a full-blown horror story. Christopher Lee gives a smashingly over-the-top performance as the crazed monk, who uses his mystic healing ability and powers of hypnosis to worm his way into the confidence of the Russian Czarina (Renee Asherson), destroying anyone who stands in his way. Lee gets to scream, bellow, rape women, chop a guy's hand off with an adze, throw acid in another man's face, and command a former bedmate to kill herself. As if that's not enough fun for one actor to have, he gets to hypnotize several people, drink poison, dance a wicked two-step, and get a syringe stuck in his neck before being thrown out a window. Made on the same sets as Terence Fisher's Dracula: Prince of Darkness, with much of the same cast, this is a much more flamboyant and energetic film. Perhaps it's a bit too flamboyant and energetic, for between Lee's hammy tooth-gnashing mime and Don Banks' thunderous musical score, the film feels like a particularly overwrought 1920s silent melodrama to which some mad editor has added unnecessary dialogue. It's still a real hoot, though, as long as one doesn't take it to be a serious representation of historical fact. ~ Robert Firsching, RoviCast
- Christopher Lee - Rasputin
- Barbara Shelley - Sonia
- Richard Pasco - Dr. Zargo
- Francis Matthews - Ivan
- Suzanne Farmer - Vanessa
Credit
Don Mingaye - Art Director, Don Sharp - Director, Roy Hyde - Editor, Don Banks - Composer (Music Score), Roy Ashton - Makeup, Bernard Robinson - Production Designer, Michael Reed - Cinematographer, Anthony Nelson Keys - Producer, Anthony Hinds - Screenwriter, John Elder - Screenwriter| Rasputin, the Black Monk (1917 Film), Rasputin and the Empress (1932 Film) | |
| Rassaelle Chafahyia (1993 Film), Rasskaz O Neizvestnom Cheloveke (1980 Film) |
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Rasputin, the Mad Monk
| Rasputin, the Mad Monk | |
|---|---|
 Original French film poster |
|
| Directed by | Don Sharp |
| Produced by | Anthony Nelson Keys |
| Written by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | Christopher Lee Barbara Shelley Francis Matthews Richard Pasco Suzan Farmer |
| Music by | Don Banks |
| Cinematography | Michael Reed |
| Editing by | Roy Hyde |
| Studio | Hammer Film Productions |
| Distributed by | 20th Century-Fox |
| Release date(s) | 1966 |
| Running time | 91 min. |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
Rasputin, the Mad Monk is a 1966 Hammer film directed by Don Sharp.
It stars Christopher Lee as Grigori Rasputin, the Russian peasant-mystic notable for gaining great influence with the Tsars prior to the Russian Revolution. It also stars Barbara Shelley, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Richard Pasco, Dinsdale Landen and Renée Asherson. The story is largely fictionalized, although some of the events leading up to Rasputin's assassination are very loosely based on Prince Yusupov's account of the story. For legal reasons, the character of Yusupov was replaced by Ivan (Matthews).
The emphasis is on Rasputin's terrifying powers both to work magic and to seduce women.
Plot
The story begins in the Russian countryside, where Rasputin heals the sick wife of an innkeeper (Derek Francis). When he is later hauled before an Orthodox bishop for his sexual immorality and violence, the innkeeper springs to the monk's defence. Rasputin protests that he is sexually immoral because he likes to give God "sins worth forgiving". He also claims to have healing powers in his hands, and is unperturbed by the bishop's accusation that his power is from Satan.
Rasputin heads for St. Petersburg, where he forces his way into the home of Dr Zargo (Pasco), from where he begins his campaign to gain influence over the Tsarina (Asherson). He manipulates the Tsarina's lady-in-waiting, Sonia (Shelley), whom he uses to satisfy his voracious sexual appetite and gain access to the Tsarina.
However, Rasputin's ruthless pursuit of wealth and prestige, and increasing control over the royal household attracts opposition. Sonia's brother, Peter (Landen), enraged by Rasputin's seduction of his sister, enlists the help of Ivan to bring about the monk's downfall.
Production
- This was filmed back-to-back in 1965 with Dracula: Prince of Darkness, using the same sets at Hammer's Bray Studios. In some markets, it was released on a double feature with The Reptile.
- The original ending had the lifeless Rasputin lying on the ice with his hands held up to his forehead in benediction. However, it was considered controversial for religious reasons, and was removed. Stills of the original ending still exist.
- As a child in the 1920s, Lee had actually met Felix Yusupov.
A novelization of the film was written by John Burke as part of his 1967 book The Second Hammer Horror Film Omnibus.
External links
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