New Nicholas & Alexandra Video - Mini Series? Part I

I am not sure of this but I think Mlle Catherine A Schneider taught Alexandra Russian and later taught her children the language
A Nicholas quote to a minester:"I know nothing the late sovereign had not anticipated hi9s death and had not initiated me into anything."

Hello Erik

I like both your scenes.

Ann

One last thing...

I've mentioned 1893 or 1894 as being the year of the proposed scene where Nicholas meets with his parents to discuss his prospects for marriage. I know that Princess Margaret was reached out to be Alexander & Maria but it had to have been no later than probably middle-1892.

She was married to Prince Frederick Charles Louis Constantine on January 25, 1893 and I assume engaged at least a few months prior...

Probably not relevant to a screenplay, as you can use as much license (or imprecision for the sake of keeping things moving) as you wish - but it was actually in 1889 that Alexander III first approached Berlin about a possible marriage with Margrethe - it even made it into the press (as had similar stories about Alix earlier in the year).

Ironically, the first marriage "plans" for Nicholas were dreamed up by Bismarck as early as 1884, when he mooted that the Tsesarevich might marry not Margrethe but her sister Sophie. Obviously nothing came of it - and it seems quite a preposterous idea for that era, especially since the 16 year old Nicholas was described then as looking "small and delicate as  child of 11 or 12", while Sophie (aged only 14) may well also have looked even younger than she actually was as well (her sisters did).   

I think we also need something from the 1900-1904 period to show why Nicholas and Alexandra were dismissive of Mikhail as a potential heir. It is a bit unfortunate that his main 'sillinesses' come after Alexei's birth, but I'll see what I can put together.

He and the two younger Vladimirovichi were much the same age - Boris born 1877, Mikhail 1878 and Andrei 1879 - so is there any evidence that he hung around with them and joined in their unsuitable behaviour?

Later on, of course, Natalie Wulfert's husband threatened to call Mikhail out, so I'll have to use that!

Ann

I am not sure of this but I think Mlle Catherine A Schneider taught Alexandra Russian and later taught her children the language
A Nicholas quote to a minester:"I know nothing the late sovereign had not anticipated hi9s death and had not initiated me into anything."

James, thanks for this! Exactly the kind of information that's very helpful.

Hello Erik

I like both your scenes.

Ann

Thanks Ann :-) What I'm really trying to do is create the framework. Leave it to others to polish up the language hopefully as we move along here. I have all of these great visions in my head of what things should look like but I'm not gifted enough a writer to really bring them to life...

One last thing...

I've mentioned 1893 or 1894 as being the year of the proposed scene where Nicholas meets with his parents to discuss his prospects for marriage. I know that Princess Margaret was reached out to be Alexander & Maria but it had to have been no later than probably middle-1892.

She was married to Prince Frederick Charles Louis Constantine on January 25, 1893 and I assume engaged at least a few months prior...

Probably not relevant to a screenplay, as you can use as much license (or imprecision for the sake of keeping things moving) as you wish - but it was actually in 1889 that Alexander III first approached Berlin about a possible marriage with Margrethe - it even made it into the press (as had similar stories about Alix earlier in the year).

Ironically, the first marriage "plans" for Nicholas were dreamed up by Bismarck as early as 1884, when he mooted that the Tsesarevich might marry not Margrethe but her sister Sophie. Obviously nothing came of it - and it seems quite a preposterous idea for that era, especially since the 16 year old Nicholas was described then as looking "small and delicate as  child of 11 or 12", while Sophie (aged only 14) may well also have looked even younger than she actually was as well (her sisters did).   

Janet thanks for this good insight. You're correct in that the exact year is pretty incidental as this conversation is not based on specifics but a conjecture of how a discussion between Nicholas and his parents might have taken place.

Maybe it's worth adding Sophie's name to the list I have Alexander ringing off though. Also this probably changes the discussion in a more substantive way...Nicholas would likely have bristled at the assertion made by his parents that he barely knew Margrethe (should I referring to her by this name/spelling instead of Margaret?) since his connection with Sophie would probably have familiarized him with the family years earlier, no? A minor, but important, reworking of this scene might be necessary now. Thanks again for your assistance!

The idea of Nicholas marrying Sophie may have been mooted, but is there any evidence that they knew one another?

In any case, the two sisters are tangential to the main story. All we need is to show that Nicholas insisted on marrying Alexandra despite his parents' attempts to interest him in Margaret and in Helene of Orleans.

Ann

I think we also need something from the 1900-1904 period to show why Nicholas and Alexandra were dismissive of Mikhail as a potential heir. It is a bit unfortunate that his main 'sillinesses' come after Alexei's birth, but I'll see what I can put together.

He and the two younger Vladimirovichi were much the same age - Boris born 1877, Mikhail 1878 and Andrei 1879 - so is there any evidence that he hung around with them and joined in their unsuitable behaviour?

Later on, of course, Natalie Wulfert's husband threatened to call Mikhail out, so I'll have to use that!

Ann

Sounds great Ann! As you can see I'm sort of building up chronologically here, minus the interspersed flashback scenes, but I'd love to what you can come up with and add it in as we move along...

To your other question I have no idea. Never thought of Mikhail's behavior being heavily influenced by those unsavory Vladimirovichi's!

The idea of Nicholas marrying Sophie may have been mooted, but is there any evidence that they knew one another?

No I don't think there is evidence that they knew each other specifically. I'm guessing Nicholas in his frustration however would have at least acted like he had some prior knowledge of the Princess Margaret based on his being connected with Sophie years earlier. They were a close knit family from what I gather. Obviously we are using that artistic license here but I get the sense that as a curious teenager Nicholas would have made a point to learn more about Sophie, her siblings, and the Hohenzollern's in general after having been linked to her.

In any case, the two sisters are tangential to the main story. All we need is to show that Nicholas insisted on marrying Alexandra despite his parents' attempts to interest him in Margaret and in Helene of Orleans.

Exactly...just as the year itself, be it 1889, 1892, 1893, etc, means relatively little. It's all a set up for Alix and to show the viewer of Nicholas's dedication to his future bride years before their actual marriage.

No I don't think there is evidence that they knew each other specifically. I'm guessing Nicholas in his frustration however would have at least acted like he had some prior knowledge of the Princess Margaret based on his being connected with Sophie years earlier. They were a close knit family from what I gather. Obviously we are using that artistic license here but I get the sense that as a curious teenager Nicholas would have made a point to learn more about Sophie, her siblings, and the Hohenzollern's in general after having been linked to her.

Nicholas and Margaret (I shall use this form now, as I am not 100% sure I am using the correct spelling in German either!) would have met at the wedding of Sophie with Constantine of Greece in 1889, which N. certainly attended - and it may have been here, at the time when his father was apparently most interested in a match, that he formed his unfavorable impression of her. Given that he already had designs on Alix, though, I don't think it's too far fetched to assume that even a photo of another girl he found fairly unattractive and who his elders seemed keen to force on him might have produced a strong reaction!

Although the wedding in Athens may have been the first time he met either of the Kaiser's young sisters, he had certainly met Wilhelm as early as 1884, and on a number of occasions afterwards, so I think it's fair to conclude that he found out quite a bit about the family - whether he wanted to or not! -  and had formed strong ideas about them, known or unknown. The tentative marriage discussions regarding Nicholas and Wilhelm's sisters were in fact a consequence of the good impression W. created on Alexander III in 1884 - an impression which later changed very much for the worst.

I have all of these great visions in my head of what things should look like but I'm not gifted enough a writer to really bring them to life...

I think you  underestimate yourself =)

[Alexander:]

Nicholas and Margaret (I shall use this form now, as I am not 100% sure I am using the correct spelling in German either!)

You had the spelling correct I looked it up. Either works though...

...would have met at the wedding of Sophie with Constantine of Greece in 1889, which N. certainly attended - and it may have been here, at the time when his father was apparently most interested in a match, that he formed his unfavorable impression of her.

Perfect! It doesn't make sense for Alexander III to have said to Nicholas "you barely know her", but I think we could probably get away with having him say something along the lines of, "but how well do you really know her?". Having this scene take place shortly after the wedding you speak of also changes the dynamic a bit. Also, Janet, would it be fair to assume that the entire IF attended the wedding? Quick rewrite. What do we think of this...?

Alexander: Nicholas come in please.
Nicholas: Yes father.
Alexander: Nicky, your mother and I wanted to make you aware that we are in the process of sending emissaries to Prussia to meet with Emperor Frederick. We are planning to discuss the possibility of your future marriage to his lovely daughter the Princess Margaret.
Nicholas (surprised and incredulous): Father I had no idea of this and must warn you both that I have no interest whatsoever in the Prussian Princess.
Alexander: How well do you think you know her? You've met but once, just recently. Besides it’s time you begin giving this some serious thought.
Nicholas: But father...
Marie (interrupting): Nicky darling I understand your reservations but you can’t keep turning down opportunities. The princess is very popular with the German people and comes from a wonderful and dedicated family…
Nicholas: I know her better than you think! And in speaking with her I'm certain the princess has many fine qualities but she does not appeal to me in the least. I'd just assume become a monk than marry the plain and boring Margaret.
Alexander: Nicholas it's not only your mother and I who want what's best for you...you are the heir to the throne. God and the Russian people expect a bride...
Marie (cutting in): Princess Margaret would make an ideal Russian Empress...do you not understand this my dear?
Nicholas: But it's not what I want
Alexander: Then who is it you want? Princess Helene wasn’t good enough, now Margaret. I suppose you’d rather be chasing after that young ballerina?
Nicholas: I’ve decided that I wish to court and one day marry the Princess Alix of Hesse...

[Nicholas (hand on Alexandra's belly):]

Alright, moving right along here. This next scene isn't exactly critical to the overall storyline but I find it a nice way both to introduce GD Ella as well as to set up for the birth of Olga. Does anyone know of other events of importance in Russia during 1895? I feel like we are going to need something dramatic to show soon...otherwise we might start lulling our audience to sleep, lol. For now here's what I got...

Summer of 1895. Nicholas & Alexandra move to Livadia Palace for an extended stay that will take them through the summer. Dowager Empress Marie leaves Russia for a long visit with relatives in Denmark allowing for something of a re-bonding between the Tsar and Empress. Alexandra soon realizes she is pregnant and her sister Grand Duchess Elisabeth comes to visit and assist her younger sister. Most of their day's are spent with needlework, painting, or taking carriage rides in the park. During tea one day the following conversation takes place...
 
Nicholas (hand on Alexandra's belly): It has become very big.
Alexandra: The baby kicks about and is fighting a great deal inside.
Nicholas (smiling): Sounds like a Romanov child to me.
Elisabeth: Boy or girl it will be a wonderful blessing!
Nicholas: If a boy, we have ourselves the heir to the throne. If a girl, may she be as beautiful as Xenia's little newborn Irina!
Elisabeth: Alix and I plan to go to Alexander Palace tomorrow your majesty.
Alexandra (excitedly): Yes Nicky we have many ideas of how to decorate our rooms. Especially the nursery!
Nicholas: Tired of the Crimea my dear?
Alexandra: Not in the least, but unless we plan on making this our permanent residence...this child will be arriving in a few short months and I might as well get something done while I'm useful.
Elisabeth: Such a wonderful place. Far better for raising a family than Catherine Palace.
Alexandra: Yes the rooms are remarkably airy, light and cozy.
Nicholas: I'm aware and very much agree...
Elisabeth: Well I need to freshen up for the arrival of the Grand Duke.
Alexandra: The Grand Duke? (pause)...Sergei?
Elizabeth: The Tsar has graciously arranged for a brief visit from Moscow. My husband is expected to be here in time for dinner.
Alexandra: My, what a delightful surprise!
Elisabeth: Is there anything either of you need?
Alexandra & Nicholas: No Ella, thank you. (X 2)
 
Elisabeth exits the room...
 
Nicholas (smiling in the direction of Ella as she walks out): A remarkable woman your sister is. We could not be in better hands with her at your side and Uncle Sergei at mine.
Alexandra: Oh, yes. She's irreplaceable to me. Losing your mother at the age six is hard enough. We had the Queen to look after us but I don't think I could have become the woman I am, and who you love so dearly now, without Ella's kindness and support.
Nicholas: It all still seems like a dream to me. Has felt like this ever since we promised our eternal love to one another last April...

Alexandra smiles adoringly as Nicholas leans over and puts his right ear up to her stomach. Scene fades out...

I accidentally kept "Emperor Frederick" in my little revise above. I realize that this should be changed to Emperor Wilhelm, or just "The Emperor", and Alexander would be referring to Margaret as his lovely younger sister, not daughter. This scene would have taken place at some point after Sophie's marriage to Tino in October, 1889...my bad!

Hi,

No, you're not bad - rewrites are normal with writers and corrections made right up to publication......
We can't always get the right Emperor in with the right year, since most reigns are not always very long.  William I and Franz Joseph and Queen Victoria went on & on forever, but most of the rest were lucky at a 20 - 25 year reign and a lot of them didn't even make a decade.
Alexander III only lasted 13 years and he was considered young and fit.  Oh dear!!!

Any corrections I would make to your tome, please do not consider derogatory;  but just sticking my nose in to help out......

You're doing fine!

Larry

It is easy to get some of the names mixed up