Rough List of Romanovs on DVDs and VHS

[Annie]

Thanks!

[azrael7171918]

Does anyone know if there are copies of either "Anastasia" that was made for Hallmark floating around, I am aware that one the Universities in Southern California has it.

There is "Anastasia" with Lilli Palmer that was released the same year as the Bergman one. It was shown on TV in Philadelphia back in 1976 at around 2:00 am. I am sure of this because I debated staying up to watch it and decided it would probably be shown again.

Sometimes some of the cable stations list this film and run the Bergman one.

[Vive_HIH_Aleksey]

Sadly, yes, Ian was too old to play Nicky in Rasputin. He was 57, if my math is correct. He was born 1939, the movie was made 1996. But in his official site he has a lengthy journal entry on it, and he said he was puzzled because he was an inch or so taller than the Tzar.

[JaneEyre5381]

I was VERY upset with the way they portrayed Aleksey in N&A. It wasn't fair to him. Suicide? The kid was bored and defiant, and too religious to even think of suicide IMHO.

The best Rasputin is and always will be Alan Rickman. I'm sure he'd be happy to reprise his role if they were to make a better N&A.

Yes, a lot of things are beign remade. A Christmas Story, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory too, with Johnny Depp as Wonka.

The casting ideas are awesome. There are a few actors who I can think of who would be good Alekseys.

the boy from Master and Commander
the boy who played Alex from The Mummy Returns

Haley Joel Osmont is AMAZING, however he is a year and plus older than Aleksey

Someone suggested Elijah Wood? I hate to say it, because he is such a gifted actor, but a 25 year old man playing a 13-14 year old kid?

    And again, brilliantly put Ang!!!!!!!!!  I agree with you and may others who felt that the N&A movie was pretty bad to put it lightly.  I don't think any of the charactes were shown in the realistic sense, and the fact that Nikolaii was prortayed as an insensitive and at times just rude husband bothered me.  They over-dramatized it with Alix, and showed her to be a bit materialistic (the scene where she's upset about her scrap books and photo albums before they left fot Tobolsk).  

    Rickman is an AMAZING Rasputin, and in turn McKellen is the most realistic Nikolaii in my opinion.  They again, I'm really not that good of a movie critic.  Orlando Bloom as Dimitrii...not a bad idea.  

    Aleksey's suicide in N&A is just a shamefull scene.  It should not have been done at all.  As it was stated earlier, he was too religious to do that.

    That's the end of my two cents on the topic.

Dasha

[anna]

 Nikolaii was prortayed as an insensitive and at times just rude husband bothered me.  They over-dramatized it with Alix, and showed her to be a bit materialistic (the scene where she's upset about her scrap books and photo albums before they left fot Tobolsk).  

Historically this film isn't quite right. But to call Nicholas "rude"? Love and hate lies very close. People sometimes hurt the one they love most. Neither of them couldn't do anything about Alexis ilniss, only searche for answers.
Didn't think Alix materialistic. If they should take me away to some place, don't know where,  the first things I would take with me are my personal belongings, memories etc.
We all have our different opinions about this film and that's good, it means it did something with us. Otherwise it would be forgotten after more than thirty years.

Anna

[Andy Priestner]

The excellent 13-part BBC series Fall of Eagles is due to be released by UK company DD Video on both DVD and Video later this Autumn. The drama centres around the fall of Europe's great dynasties but pays most attention to the story of Tsar Nicholas II and Alexandra who are strongly and faithfully played by Charles Kay and Gayle Hunnicutt.

This dramatisation of the Romanov story begins with Nicholas' accession and ends with his abdication.

The cast also includes Patrick Stewart as Lenin, Jan Francis as Kschessinska, Charles Gray as Rodzianko and Michael Aldridge as Rasputin.

The DVD also includes a 40-page full-colour historical companion booklet and exclusive new interviews with both Charles and Gayle, during which they explain how they felt about taking on the roles of the last Tsar and Tsarina of Russia.

The DVD boxset which will retail for around £39.99 (sterling) is a region 2 release and will be available from online retailers throughout Europe. If you live outside Europe, you will need a multi-region player to view the DVD. In the UK the boxset will also be available in high street stores including HMV and Virgin.

For more information on the release follow this link:
http://www.survivorstvseries.com/FallofEagles.htm

best wishes,

Andy Priestner

[azrael7171918]

 Could anyone tell me where I might get a copy of Romanovs a Crowned Family on dvd it doesn't matter what region as I am getting a player that plays all.

Also does anyone know if there was a soundtrak from it the music was beautiful.

I am also looking for a photo of the entire Family from the film as I have plans to do photos of all of the film versions of the family on my bedroom walls.  Actually I would really like the final scene if possible.

If you have any addresses here or over seas I would be grateful

Azrael

[azrael7171918]

If anyone is interested there is a lobby card from "Rasputin and the Empress" actually 2 up on ebay. It is of the final scene in color and in pllastic.

I had obtained one some time ago and it is a lovely photo.

Also the souvenir book periodically comes up on ebay. If you don't already have one check for it . It is incredible.

[Genevieve]

I have a question, will they release it in USA?  I have the
book and would love to get the DVD.  

[azrael7171918]

The book of what?

Azrael

[azrael7171918]

Sadly, yes, Ian was too old to play Nicky in Rasputin. He was 57, if my math is correct. He was born 1939, the movie was made 1996. But in his official site he has a lengthy journal entry on it, and he said he was puzzled because he was an inch or so taller than the Tzar.

I don't believe his age really mattered.

He did a fabulous job as Nicholas his compassion for his wife and children especially when Alexie began to bleed in the Cathedral his hand on the back of his neck and at the end you see him take Anastasia's hand.

Sir Ian said he was worried because he had just come out as a homosexual but he made a marvelous Nicholas his tenderness towards Alexandra and his strength.

I have often thought of Dean Stockwell for Nicholas his height is about the same of course that would have been about 5 or 10 years ago., even in his late 50's early 60's.

Nicholas looked so warn out towards the end that both he and Alexandra looked older than their true ages.

Azrael

[azrael7171918]

For anyone who is interested A&E Biography has put most if not all their programs on DVD.

Nicholas and Alexandra
Anastasia (also included as an extra on Ingrid Bergman dvd)
The True Story of Rasputin
Rasputin the Mad Monk ( not the Hammer version)
and
The Romanovs (In search of HIstory)

Azrael

[CorisCapnSkip]

Well, according to me and the Internet Movie Database, though according to people here we seem to have missed a few.   :-?

I have not by the least means seen these all, but will throw in a comment here and there on those I have.

Clothes Make the Woman (1928) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0018778/
--One of the earliest tellings of the Anna Anderson story.  If it's the one I'm thinking of, has Anastasia as a plucky flapper making a mad escape by automobile.  Purdy hokey but interesting as being such an early film treatment of the story.

Rasputin and the Empress (1932) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0023374/
Anastasia (1956) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0048947/
"Hallmark Hall of Fame" Anastasia (1967) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0595265/
Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0067483/
--This was my introduction to the Romanov story.  A well-acted drama, parts of which I still remember all these years later, and would like to see again.

Dulce Anastasia (1977) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0405891/
Anastasia:  The Mystery of Anna (1986) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0090638/
--Presenting Anna Anderson's story as fact, but gets some details wrong.  For instance, claiming AA's baby died, when a lot of the trouble was that he did NOT die and relatives feared he'd emerge to try to claim the throne.  Also, showing the Romanov relative who kicked her out as being under family pressure rather than that AA acted like a flake while there.  It was surprising to see Lord Louis Mountbatten, played by Rex Harrison, portrayed as such a baddie.

Rasputin (1996) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0117442/
Anastasia (Disney, 1997) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0118617/
--Yeah, I'll get around to seeing this when I see "Pocahontas"--whenever that is.

The Russian Revolution (Documentary, 1998) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0235723/
--I remember seeing a documentary with a lot of old newsreel footage but don't recall if this was it.  It's so neat being able to see films of the actual people!
--There was also a NOVA documentary on the Romanov bones and Anna Anderson.

Romanovi:  Ventsenosnaya semya (2000) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0303274/
The Revenge of the Romanovs (Documentary, 2001) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0395730/
The Lost Prince (2003) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0349747/
--I commented on this in the thread on "The Lost Prince," but would like to add there was one glaring inaccuracy in the Romanov death scene on which no one commented in that thread.  Contemporary accounts state that Grand Duke Alexis was so severely ill he had to be carried by his father and was perhaps (hopefully!) only semi-coherent.  This movie showed a boy looking perfectly healthy (and way happier than he probably should have under the circumstances--though of course they didn't know what was to happen until they entered the execution room and heard the order read--) WALKING.  That just jumped out at me.  Alexis was certainly in no condition to have possibly survived, or in shape to have helped himself after such an event if he was near death before, though why his body is not with the others remains a mystery.

Shadow Hearts II (2004) http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0443635/
--Anyone know what this is?  Sounds weird.

Unsolved Mysteries:  Strange Legends (2005)
--This is from a series of compilations from the TV series, grouped by themes.  This one covers the Anastasia/Anna Anderson story.  I found the execution scene to be MUCH more accurate than the one portrayed in "The Lost Prince."  It may not have been filmed in Russia, but the people all spoke Russian, and Tzar Nicholas was portrayed as carrying Alexis.  I would recommend it as an addition to any collector's library.

[CorisCapnSkip]

Not exactly a movie, but did anyone catch the skating routine by Russians, Natalia Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin, whose dance portrayed a struggle between Rasputin and the Grand Duke Alexis?



A strange subject for an ice dance, but it won them a place in the 1995 Legends Championships, held in September in Huntington, West Virginia.

[helenazar]

"Secrets of the Romanovs" (A & E's History's Mysteries)

I caught this one on History International yesterday... First time I ever saw it. All the usual suspects were interviewed, including Peter Kurth, Greg King, Edvard Radzinsky, etc., and the usual mistakes were made by the narrator, while adding nothing new. Of course this show was produced before the possible new developments with the Romanov remains, so nothing about that was mentioned and the conclusions were still ambigous as far as the possibility of anyone surviving. They talked about Anna Anderson a little too much for my taste, but in the end admitted she was a fraud (due to DNA tests)...