Ivan the Terrible, Part I [Ivan Groznyy] **** (1944, Nikolay Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman) – Classic Movie Review 7472

The last work of Russia’s most acclaimed revolutionary director Sergei M Eisenstein was intended as a trilogy but only two parts were completed. Filming stopped after Part II was banned, but Part III’s concept is seen in its screenplay, preliminary drawings and some fragments of the film.

Reconstructing the palace intrigues of the 1547-84 reign of Czar [Tsar] Ivan IV, Eisenstein focuses on Ivan’s fight to consolidate the Russian Empire, his battles against the plotting Boyars and religious leaders, and his passion for Anastasia Romanovna (Ludmilla Tselikovskaya), who becomes the Czarina [Tsarina].

The visual richness inspired by baroque art, the fantastic costumes and décor, as well as the deliberately exaggerated acting style are so impressive that it is easy to forgive the film for its lack of historical accuracy.

Sergei Prokofiev’s score and the rousing performances (particularly by Nikolay Cherkasov as Czar Ivan IV and Ludmilla Tselikovskaya [Lyudmila Tselikovskaya] as Anastasia) are major assets.

Also in the cast are Serafima Birman, Mikhail Zharov, Amyrosi Buchma, Mikhail Kuznetzov, Pavel Kadochnikov and Andrei Abrikosov.

Ivan the Terrible, Part 1 (Ivan Groznyy) is directed by Sergei M Eisenstein, runs 96 minutes, is made by Alam Ata, Mosfilm and Central Cinema, is released by Artkino, is written by Sergei M Eisenstein, is shot in black and white by Eduard Tissé and Andrei Moskvin, is produced by Sergei M Eisenstein, is scored by Sergei Prokofiev, and is designed by Isaak Shpinel.

Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars’ Plot followed in 1958.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7472

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