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Rasputin the Mad Monk

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Director
  
Music director
  
Duration
  

Country
  
UK

6.2/10
IMDb

Genre
  
Biography, Drama

Screenplay
  
Language
  
English

Rasputin the Mad Monk movie poster

Writer
  
Anthony Hinds (screenplay)

Release date
  
6 March 1966 (UK)6 April 1966 (US)

Cast
  
Similar movies
  
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Tagline
  
Ladies' Man - And Lady Killer!

Rasputin the mad monk 1966


Rasputin, the Mad Monk is a 1966 Hammer film directed by Don Sharp and starring Christopher Lee as Grigori Rasputin, the Russian peasant-mystic who gained great influence with the Tsars prior to the Russian Revolution. It also features 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). Yusupov was still alive when the film was released, dying on 27 September 1967.

Contents

Rasputin the Mad Monk movie scenes

The emphasis is on Rasputin's terrifying powers both to work magic and to seduce women.

Rasputin the Mad Monk movie scenes

Rasputin the mad monk drinking challenge official clip


Plot

Rasputin the Mad Monk movie scenes

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 defense. Rasputin protests that he is sexually immoral because he likes to give God "sins worth forgiving" (loosely based on Rasputin's rumored connection to Khlysty, an obscure Christian sect which believed that those deliberately committing fornication, then repenting bitterly, would be closer to God). He also claims to have healing powers in his hands, and is unperturbed by the bishop's accusation that his power comes from Satan.

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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 one of the Tsarina's ladies-in-waiting, Sonia (Shelley), whom he uses to satisfy his voracious sexual appetite and gain access to the Tsarina. He places her in a trance to injure the czar's heir Alexei, so that Rasputin can be called to court to heal him. After, this success, he hypnotizes the Tsarina to replace her existing doctor with Zargo (who has previously been struck off after a scandal).

Rasputin the Mad Monk Cathode Ray Tube BRITISH CULT CLASSICS Rasputin the Mad Monk Blu

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. Peter, in challenging the monk, is horribly scarred by acid thrown in his face, and suffers a lingering death.

Rasputin the Mad Monk Amazoncom Biography Rasputin The Mad Monk Biography Movies TV

Tricking Rasputin into thinking his sister Vanessa (Farmer) is interested in him, Ivan arranges a supposed meeting. However, Zargo has poisoned the wine and chocolates, which the Monk starts to consume. Soon Rasputin collapses, but the poison is not enough to kill him. In the ensuing struggle between the three men, Zargo is stabbed by Rasputin and quickly dies. Ivan manages to throw Rasputin out of the window to his death.

Cast

Rasputin the Mad Monk Rasputin The Mad Monk Bluray Special Edition Double Play

  • Christopher Lee as Grigori Rasputin
  • Barbara Shelley as Sonia
  • Richard Pasco as Dr. Boris Zargo
  • Francis Matthews as Ivan
  • Suzan Farmer as Vanessa
  • Dinsdale Landen as Peter
  • Renée Asherson as Tsarina
  • Derek Francis as Innkeeper
  • John Welsh as The Abbot
  • Joss Ackland as The Bishop
  • Robert Duncan as Tsarvitch
  • Alan Tilvern as Patron
  • Bryan Marshall as Vassily
  • Brian Wilde as Vassily's Father
  • Production

    Rasputin the Mad Monk Tribute to Sir Christopher Lee Rasputin the Mad Monk 1966

  • Rasputin the Mad Monk was filmed back-to-back in 1965 with Dracula: Prince of Darkness, using the same sets at Hammer's Bray Studios. Lee, Matthews, Shelley and Farmer appeared in both films. 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 Rasputin's killer, Felix Yusupov. In later life Lee met Rasputin's daughter Maria (1898-1977).

  • Rasputin the Mad Monk Tom Chantrell Posters Rasputin Mad Monk Chantrell Hammer Artwork

    A novelization of the film was written by John Burke as part of his 1967 book The Second Hammer Horror Film Omnibus.


    Rasputin the Mad Monk Rasputin The Mad Monk Bluray Special Edition Double Play

    References

    Rasputin the Mad Monk Wikipedia
    Rasputin the Mad Monk IMDb Rasputin the Mad Monk themoviedb.org


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