I've just been getting around to reviewing, once again, my copy of
Rasputin and the Empress. (I watched it several years ago when I first purchased it.) And I think the best thing one can say about this film is that you are able to see all three Barrymores!
Otherwise, I find it a travesty.
In fact, checking a previous item which I posted last year, I can't imagine why anyone would find this film comparable in quality to the 1971 film.
The problem isn't due, specifically, to it being an older film; I have found many films from that same year of far better quality. Unfortunately, the production was very bumpy, due to many factors, and the writing is inconsistant, being everything from okay to ludicrous. Anyone of us will see obvious mistakes from the first five minutes on. Rasputin is played outrageously by Lionel, and he must have had a lot of fun scratching, belching, etc., but his Father Gregori is straight out of a melodrama. Moreover, the situations involving Rasputin are innacurate (the film was originally going to be called simply
Rasputin) and have him literally hypnotizing Alexei from behind a window, telling both Nicholas and Alexandra he'll be taking over, etc., etc. John Barrymore's theatrics would be better suited to the theater, and Ethel Barrymore gamely tries to maintain a sense of dignity but is also stagey. (Incidentally, Alexandra is written as very sympathetic.) The actor who plays Nicholas, Ralph Morgan, actually isn't half bad, but his reedy voice is in sad contrast to that of the Barrymores.
The plot twists and turns to the point of ridiculousness. (And I think we'll all agree that the actual story is dramatic enough!) Another bizarre aspect: Someone spliced in actual footage of the Tsar's soldiers, which is in faster motion than the 1932 film.
Finally, it's no wonder that Felix and Irina went to court over this movie. If you were alive in the 1930s and had known the Romanovs or were knowledgeable of the Russian Court, seeing this film must have been an apalling experience. And besides the distortions and out-and-out lies, the production (aside from some nicely appointed sets) is like an extremely bad high school production . . . or some sort of comedy spoof.
Concurrently, I am reading Ethel Barrymore's autobiography, which is charming. She does briefly mention the production, saying that it was all very confusing because the script was changed from day to day. She also says nothing about meeting the Tsarina personally--at least, I haven't found any reference as yet--but I am sure she did know people who had known Alexandra.
So, if you want to look at this film, perhaps it would be best to borrow a copy! It is worthwhile, but more as a curiousity than anything else.
