Rasputin, the Mad Monk

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Lee excels
Review: Revered Mr. Lee's apt portrayal of holy man Rasputin came as no surprise, as he himself has made abundantly clear his intentions in matters spiritual. None of us is perfect, but Rasputin was further than most, yet closer than others. He did not desert God and the feeling was apparently mutual, as Rasputin was blessed with the gift of healing, which he owned till his demise. For those of us who share Russian heritage, it is both a necessity and a delight to see vivid details of Russian opulence, and our traditions. Brutality is also rooted in our history, and its portrayal herein lends a bitter taste of credibility. Mr. Lee is fascinating as Rasputin, as we know him to have been: brash, drunken, and at the same time holy. The fact that Rasputin tarnished his Christianity by misusing his most powerful gift, is a testament to his human nature. The fact that Mr. Lee had accepted the offer to play the part of Rasputin, and did so exceedingly well, should make one rush to see it.

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Lee excels
Review: The screenplay for "Rasputin: The Mad Monk" had to be initialed on every page by Prince Yusopov, one of the five conspirators who assassinated Grigori Rasputin. Yes, this is a Hammer "horror" version of the rise and fall of Rasputin--and there are huge gaps left out of the story--but the interference of Yusopov (who won $3 million in a suit against MGM in 1933 ["Rasputin and the Empress"]) and the usual Hammer low budget accounted for this. Christopher Lee researched the role obsessively, actually met two of the conspirators as a child, and gives one of the finest performances of his career in this particular depiction of the monk, whom--he will tell you-- was not "mad." I edited Mr. Lee's autobiography and am very familiar with his extensive knowledge of the facts. This DVD includes some excellent commentary by Lee, Francis Matthews, Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer. Aside from "Horror of Dracula" (1958), this may be Lee's best Hammer film.

Rating:
Summary: Hammer "History" Off But Not Studio's Fault
Review: The screenplay for "Rasputin: The Mad Monk" had to be initialed on every page by Prince Yusopov, one of the five conspirators who assassinated Grigori Rasputin. Yes, this is a Hammer "horror" version of the rise and fall of Rasputin--and there are huge gaps left out of the story--but the interference of Yusopov (who won $3 million in a suit against MGM in 1933 ["Rasputin and the Empress"]) and the usual Hammer low budget accounted for this. Christopher Lee researched the role obsessively, actually met two of the conspirators as a child, and gives one of the finest performances of his career in this particular depiction of the monk, whom--he will tell you-- was not "mad." I edited Mr. Lee's autobiography and am very familiar with his extensive knowledge of the facts. This DVD includes some excellent commentary by Lee, Francis Matthews, Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer. Aside from "Horror of Dracula" (1958), this may be Lee's best Hammer film.

Rating:
Summary: Rasputin movie review...from a true follower
Review: This movie is very well put together, with many facts and so forth...yet the one negative is the assassination scene. It is NOTHING like the REAL assassination poor ole' Grigory Rasputin had to face...in this movie...he's just poisened and thrown out a window...THE END. In real life, much more had to take place to take down the "Saint Who Sinned".

Rating:
Summary: Rasputin movie review...from a true follower
Review: This movie is very well put together, with many facts and so forth...yet the one negative is the assassination scene. It is NOTHING like the REAL assassination poor ole' Grigory Rasputin had to face...in this movie...he's just poisened and thrown out a window...THE END. In real life, much more had to take place to take down the "Saint Who Sinned".