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6.5/10
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A prince plots to kill the mad monk Rasputin for the good of the czar, the czarina and Russia.A prince plots to kill the mad monk Rasputin for the good of the czar, the czarina and Russia.A prince plots to kill the mad monk Rasputin for the good of the czar, the czarina and Russia.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total
Luis Alberni
- Photographer's Assistant
- (uncredited)
Mary Alden
- Natasha's Lady in Waiting
- (uncredited)
Robert Anderson
- Undetermined Secondary Role
- (uncredited)
Oscar Apfel
- Undetermined Secondary Role
- (uncredited)
Henry Armetta
- Photographer
- (uncredited)
Hooper Atchley
- Rasputin's Henchman
- (uncredited)
Mischa Auer
- Butler Pouring Drinks at Party
- (uncredited)
Barbara Barondess
- Woman Getting Cigarette
- (uncredited)
Max Barwyn
- Bald Man Trying to See Duna
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAnnoyed that his brother John Barrymore was trying to show him up by placing his hand on him while he was finishing a scene (an ancient actor's technique for drawing attention to oneself), Lionel Barrymore excused himself from the set and went to the back lot to find a telephone. He then phoned the set and told director Richard Boleslawski that "he'd better advise Mr. John Barrymore to not place his hand on me at the close of this scene, lest I lay one on him!" By the time Lionel returned to the set, John has been advised to keep his hands to himself.
- GoofsThe fact that the Tsarevich was sick was not announced publicly as portrayed in the movie. It was kept a secret.
- Quotes
The Czar: This is our destiny, my dear.
The Czarina: I know. What have we done to these people of yours, Nicky, that they'd hate us so,
The Czar: Nothing, Alex. Everybody loves you, you know that.
The Czarina: No. But, you love me, Nicky. That's enough for any Empress.
- Alternate versionsUpon its premiere "Rasputin and the Empress" ran approximately 132 minutes. Due to the famous lawsuits against it, a number of scenes had to be cut for legal reasons. One critical scene that was deleted was one which implied that Rasputin had raped Diana Wynyard's character of "Princess Natascha". The removal of this scene tended to make the character of Princess Natascha somewhat incomprehensible - initially she is a supporter of Rasputin; in the latter part of the film she is very afraid of him. Unless the viewer is aware of the cuts made in the film, there does not appear to be any explanation for the change in Princess Natascha toward Rasputin.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Biography: The Barrymores (2002)
- SoundtracksRussian National Anthem
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Played during the opening credits and at the end
Featured review
Rasputin and the Empress shouldn't be used as a lesson of pre-Soviet Russia. Names have been changed (and that didn't prevent MGM from law suits) and a lot of the information we now know about this period of Russian history - was not known in 1932.
As other people have commented about this being the only film that Ethel, John, and Lionel Barrymore appeared together, this movie doesn't show why the Barrymores have the reputation that they have. John Barrymore's career started going downhill after the introduction of sound. Lionel Barrymore, wearing one of the phoniest fake beards, tries to capture the charisma and sense of control that Rasputin had over Czarina Alexandra and the Czarevitch. Ethel Barrymore gives an understated performance - too understated at times. When her only son seems to be close to possible death, she doesn't seem all that bothered.
C. Henry Gordon is a great Grand Duke Igor, Ralph Morgan is a convincing Czar Nicholas II, but they don't appear that frequently. Don't expect anyone to speak with a Russian accent or even attempting and accent.
Rasputin is one of the most interesting people in the world during the early 20th Century. He was also one of the most enigmatic and contradictory. A holy man who was accused of raping a nun, excessive drinking, and being power hungry. Barrymore's portrayal of Rasputin plays this up, plus making claims that he will be Russia. He seems almost like Charles Manson at times in the way he can make someone, especially the Czarevitch, behave like they are totally different people compared to the way they acted before meeting Rasputin.
It is best to watch this movie as just that - a fictional representation of various accounts of what happened in the royal court of Russia in its final days. The writers included Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht, Robert Sherwood, Mercedes de Acosta, and Lenore Coffee - some of the best writers of the period.
It's worth a view - don't expect historical accuracy, but it is an interesting film that tries to show a much different world than what Americans would have known.
As other people have commented about this being the only film that Ethel, John, and Lionel Barrymore appeared together, this movie doesn't show why the Barrymores have the reputation that they have. John Barrymore's career started going downhill after the introduction of sound. Lionel Barrymore, wearing one of the phoniest fake beards, tries to capture the charisma and sense of control that Rasputin had over Czarina Alexandra and the Czarevitch. Ethel Barrymore gives an understated performance - too understated at times. When her only son seems to be close to possible death, she doesn't seem all that bothered.
C. Henry Gordon is a great Grand Duke Igor, Ralph Morgan is a convincing Czar Nicholas II, but they don't appear that frequently. Don't expect anyone to speak with a Russian accent or even attempting and accent.
Rasputin is one of the most interesting people in the world during the early 20th Century. He was also one of the most enigmatic and contradictory. A holy man who was accused of raping a nun, excessive drinking, and being power hungry. Barrymore's portrayal of Rasputin plays this up, plus making claims that he will be Russia. He seems almost like Charles Manson at times in the way he can make someone, especially the Czarevitch, behave like they are totally different people compared to the way they acted before meeting Rasputin.
It is best to watch this movie as just that - a fictional representation of various accounts of what happened in the royal court of Russia in its final days. The writers included Charles MacArthur, Ben Hecht, Robert Sherwood, Mercedes de Acosta, and Lenore Coffee - some of the best writers of the period.
It's worth a view - don't expect historical accuracy, but it is an interesting film that tries to show a much different world than what Americans would have known.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Rasputin
- Filming locations
- St. Petersburg, Russia(archive footage)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,022,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 1 minute
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was Rasputin and the Empress (1932) officially released in India in English?
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