Ivan the Terrible, Part I

6/6/2022

Nikolay Cherkasov is superb in this speculative biopic of the infamous Tsar of all the Russias. Made towards the end of the Second World War, Sergei Eisenstein manages to create a magnificent depiction of just how this often barbaric, but actually rather shrewd and intelligent 16th century monarch inherited and retained his throne despite plots and intrigues from his court, his people, his nobles - basically, just about everyone. His goal? Well that is presented in an almost Stalinist style. To unite the Russian peoples and to protect them from the oppression of those who would invade their land and take away their freedoms. The anti-Nazi rhetoric is front, centre and potent. This is also a terrific historical epic with great attention to detail, some penetrating photographic techniques an