Russia's Lost Princesses

[spoofs]

The second part was excellent.  Deeply poignant and moving and with excellent talking heads.  Moved to tears in places and would thoroughly recommend to anybody that can legally view.  Hoping that PBS or some other station will air it for the benefit of the American audience.  Thrilled to see interior footage of modern day Govenor's House in Tobolsk - very special.

[Michael HR]

Does any one know where Helen Rappaport was filed speaking to camera?

[rachel5a]

I agree they chose the wrong title and it was all a bit chaotic IMO

[edubs31]

The second part was excellent.  Deeply poignant and moving and with excellent talking heads.  Moved to tears in places and would thoroughly recommend to anybody that can legally view.  Hoping that PBS or some other station will air it for the benefit of the American audience.  Thrilled to see interior footage of modern day Govenor's House in Tobolsk - very special.

Here's part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC3KkuAaLhY

[Laura Mabee]

Does any one know where Helen Rappaport was filed speaking to camera?

I asked her the same. It's the set of The King's Speech! Now the location of that specifically, I am not sure.

[edubs31]

Does any one know where Helen Rappaport was filed speaking to camera?

I asked her the same. It's the set of The King's Speech! Now the location of that specifically, I am not sure.

Pretty neat! Thanks for that piece of info Laura!

Back to critiquing "Lost Princesses" for a moment. I find this line that appears near the beginning of the program odd; "The girls names may not be remembered, but their alluring mix of beauty and innocence holds an enduring fascination...In Russia today the Tsar's four daughters have literally become icons and are worshipped as holy martyrs. "

So how does one continue to fascinate and get treated, by some, with such reverence without even having one's name remembered?

[Rodney_G.]

Indeed. Maybe they're anonymous icons.

[Laura Mabee]

I have to agree with you edubs31. I think the reason the docu came about is that MANY people remember their names, enough for this site, many books, and many other dedicated spaces.

[spoofs]

Anastasia's perhaps.  But how many off the street could actually name any of the other three?  

[Rodney_G.]

I think part of the problem we Forum folks are experiencing is that, for us, much of the narrative , even while generally accurate, is old hat, a known given, Nicholas &Alexandra, the Romanovs 101.  The producers of this film can't assume such wide knowledge on the part of their generic viewers, and so feel obliged to set the stage for the four daughters by going through Russian history basics from Nicholas  and Alexandra's youth up to the time when the daughters may be given more emphasis.

As much as I look forward to a treatment such as this one, I must say my interest flagged at times. Especially since  literally the first sentence of the program was so compelling. But I'd still give it a qualified thumbs up  for Part One . (haven't caught  Part II  yet, which I suspect is more dramatic for obvious reasons). The photography of the present day Romanov places was excellent. Is it always so crisply sunny   and autumnal at Tsarskoe Selo? Or was the photography crew just lucky? Likewise with the music.

And way to go Youtube for getting this film out there and available in the US so soon.

[edubs31]

Anastasia's perhaps.  But how many off the street could actually name any of the other three?  

How many people off the street are watching this program?

My point was that the program contradicts itself right out of the gate. On one hand you have these supposedly iconic holy martyrs, worshipped by many, and on the other hand that very same audience (who also makes up a significant portion of the viewing audience of this program) might not even know their names?

I'm not mentioning this to sound offended, I simply found it odd and awkward.

[spoofs]

 Maybe a valid point.  My interpretation was that many know of them, are even familiar with their faces - yet cannot name them as individuals. 

[spoofs]

And I never thought you sounded offended edubs, don't worry ;-)

[TimM]

But how many off the street could actually name any of the other three?

I knew their names long before I found this wonderful site.  Of course, I see my own Tatiana every day (my cat, of course).

[Georgiy]

Do not like that they say 'worshipped'. Icons are not worshipped, they are venerated.