Rasputin [1996] (REGION 2) (PAL) [Dutch Import] [DVD]

Alan Rickman certainly steals the show as the mysterious Siberian "holy man," and his complex portrayal of the man who many people still blame for the downfall of the Romanov dynasty was superb, eerie and unsettling in its intensity. Greta Scacchi delivers an absolutely stellar performance as the Empress Alexandra, whose genuine maternal instincts and love for her husband are shown without the tired old stereotype which shows her as an interfering shrew. Ian McKellen is also wonderful as Nicholas II, and once again the film pays a tribute to history by disregarding many inaccurate popular stereotypes. McKellen's portrayal of the Tsar is one of a devoted family man, conscientious sovereign and relatively independent personality; not the vapid, unintelligent, fatalistic, hen-picked moron of popular misconception.

The portrayals of Alexei, Prince Youssopov and Pytor Stolypin were all wonderful as well. The four actresses selected to play Nicholas and Alexandra's daughters also had a beautiful screen presence.

The psychological pressure applied to the imperial family because of Alexei's haemophilia is wonderfully presented, as is the religious atmosphere of late Tsarist Russia. The film's finest scenes is, undoubtedly, the murder of the Romanovs, which helps convey some of the horror of that terrible event.

Ian MacKellen is also superb, but as in many of his films Alan Rickman pulls out all the stops to lead powerfully in this award winning sumptuous production.

Rasputin convinces the Tzarina and later the Tzar of his abilities, so he has a place in court, although he is a very embarrassing man, uneducated, unpredictable and too fond of wine and gypsy prostitutes. Behind the scenes Russian people suffer, the First world war (predicted by Rasputin) is started and the last minutes of the Romanov family are at hand. Everything is told very economically, nothing too much and yet everything you need to know, with authentic film material cut into the story.
The film is a feast for the eyes and mind, even though some historical facts aren't exact. In fact: Rasputin's asketism was an odd one: women and wine, yes, sweets and pastries, no - so he never (probably) ate the poison. Anyway, this isn't a documentary. As a story it works like a dream, the actors are unbelievably good - so it really feels unfair to start talking about Rickman and not others. So I'm just saying: they are all wonderful, top of the trade. But the movie is called "Rasputin".

I've recently looked up films of Alan Rickman, partly because some of them are hard to find, but mostly because his way of acting is simply addictive. I think I finally know, why. It's a kind of pornography - of human soul. (Which is an embarrassing discovery, porn really isn't my cup of tea...) His Rasputin isn't just a calculating monk, who sees an opportunity to get a comfortable life, wine and women and power over people, but a man, who lives from moment to moment, uneducated, without manners, sensual, in some ways stupid and in some ways clever. At times you see a strong, manipulative, hypnotic monk who makes you believe in God and Virgin Mary and seems to be able to look into your soul, at times there is child-like sincerity and vulnerability. He believes he has a mission, but it also gives him pain, he sees things but doesn't see, how his conduct affects the falling empire. "I didn't choose to be holy!" he says like a weak human being, who has been trusted with a burden, that is much too heavy. Strong, vulnerable, wise, fallable, loving, selfish... Is this the real Rasputin? Very possibly. Human beings are just as mixed and as capable of being both angelic and devilish as Rickman shows - in this and other movies.

Oh yes, I felt great pity for Rasputin, though I wouldn't want him living in my house. And I'm glad I don't know Rickman in person, he seems to know too well, what we people are like. Who wants her mind to be x-rayed? Even by Rickman (who is, I admit, in his own way, enchanting)?

Watch this movie, if you want to understand history, people or acting. Look at these actors and actresses, they don't act, they are the characters. Rickman is just the best example of how to become someone else than one really is, whether it is Rasputin, Mesmer or other things he's done. Watch this!