The
lowdown: 'Nicholas and Alexandra' is an epic film
that chronicles the downfall of the Romanov dynasty prior
to the October Revolution
of 1917. It stars Michael Jayston (best known to Doctor Who fans
as The Valeyard), as
Nicholas II, the last Tsar
of Russia, and Janet Suzman as Empress Alexandra. The film begins early
in the 20th
century, with the birth
of their son, Alexei, who is very soon found to be suffering from haemophilia,
a hereditary
disease which he inherited
from Alexandra. She falls under the influence of Grigori Rasputin (Tom
Baker), a mystic
who is believed to have
visions of the future, and is fond of both women and wine. Nicholas banishes
Rasputin from
the Imperial Court, but
Alexandra insists that he be allowed to return. Nicholas agrees to this
after Alexei becomes
gravely ill as a result
of his condition, and Rasputin's letters to Alexandra during the crisis
are a great comfort to the
Tsarina.
Meanwhile, World War I begins
and Nicholas departs for the front to lead his army into combat. Alexandra
is left in
charge, but there is growing
concern about Rasputin's influence on her. Prince Felix Yusupov and the
Grand Duke
Dmitri plot to kill Rasputin,
and invite him to a party where he is poisoned, shot in the back a number
of times and
beaten to death. With the
war going badly and the nation facing food shortages, the Russian people
revolt against
the Romanovs, and Nicholas
is forced to abdicate. The Romanovs are sent into exile in Siberia and
the Bolsheviks
seize control of Russia.
The Romanovs are taken to Ekaterinburg to stand trial, and the Bolsheviks
take them into
the cellar of the house
they have been hiding in and execute them in a truly memorable scene.
The
verdict:
At three hours, 'Nicholas and Alexandra' is a very long film,
but it features lavish production values
and an excellent cast. Tom
Baker is superb as the "Mad Monk", at a time when he was still a relatively
unknown
actor, while it also boasts
well-known actors such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Maurice Denham, Michael
Redgrave,
Julian Glover (very well
known to Who fans!) and Jeremy Brett. True, some of the events depicted
in the film are
not historically accurate,
but that does not detract from the enjoyment of a superb production.
Video clips:
Grigori Rasputin 6.1mb
Rasputin and Alexandra
4.1mb
Rasputin
dies 8.1mb |
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