AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Unlimitedia
Sick Product of a Sick System
harukahoneyh
Yes, I love Alan Rickman (how could I not?), but I happen to love the historical Rasputin even more. That said, Rickman's portrayal is the best ever! He brought Rasputin back to life! I finally saw "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny" yesterday and it floored me. It was possibly his best on-screen performance! This is the most accurate depiction of Rasputin, hands down. There are some errors, mostly towards the end, but it showed who he really was. Tom Baker was also an excellent Rasputin in "Nicholas and Alexandra," but he sadly had limited screen time. I have yet to watch "Rasputin the Mad Monk" with Christopher Lee, but what I have seen of it shows him as the evil monster people assume he was. Lee definitely looks the most like Rasputin, and I would've loved to see him in a more factual version, alas! Alan Rickman has done a great service, bless his beautiful soul! Finally, we get to see Grigori Rasputin as a real person- he had his flaws, but was generally a good man. (Not to mention, the love scene was to die for!) Everyone involved with the production deserves accolades!
Petie3-2
Allen Rickman decided to become Rasputin. He did a lot of research, introspection and study. I fear for his soul. Historically as accurate as it could be, there are flights from and to events which are poetic license. Rasputin was an original, not a Barnum, nor a John the Baptist. The time in Russia from 1907 to 1917 was a catastrophe of Greek proportions. Masses were shot, murdered. The White Russians rebelled against the Communists and they had a war which rivalled the brutality of the Great War. Finally Lenin died and Stalin took over for thirty years of murder, failed five year plans, and total war against the Germans. Was Czarism really that bad?
caspian1978
Rickman's Rasputan is not only scary, but at times funny. The story of the downfall of the Russian Kingdom and the man and the myth that was Rasputan is now one of HBO better movies. The production value of this made for cable movie is better than most box office duds that try to call themselves period pieces. Rasputan rivals Reds with a better story of the Russian peoples struggle during World War 1 and the start of communist (Soviet)control. Alan Rickman carries the movie as the star of the film. His character acting surpasses other great actors such as Al Pacino and Tim Curry. Without talking, Rickman's use of his eyes create a Rasputan more horrific than any other adaptation to date. A great movie with a powerful ending.
lord_james_2001
This movie was pretty well acted, written, filmed, and directed. The problem was it was made a bit too soon to do much good. When "Nicholas and Alexandra" was released in 1971, the lavishness of it covered up the historical inaccuracies. "Rasputin", however, came out in a time when new information was just becoming available. Since 1996, the DNA tests have been performed, the bodies have been ceremoniously buried, and the nation of Russia has once again reformed itself. If the producers of "Rasputin" had just waited a few years, imagine the possibilities that could have been added to this film. It is inaccurate in many places. For example, Alexei could not have known that "Aunt Ella" was murdered. She, along with several other relatives, was murdered the day following Nicholas' own execution. It focuses too much on the Romanovs. Perhaps it should be called "The Romanovs" as opposed to "Rasputin". My personal pet peeve is the execution of the Romanovs. As in "N & A", the numbers are still wrong. There were 11 people executed in Ekaterinburg. In "N & A" there were 8, and in "Rasputin" there were 10.The film does flow rather nicely, and gives those interested a fairly accurate glimpse of the lives and deaths of the sadly inept Romanovs and the vile, vulgar Rasputin. I would strongly recommend it to anyone interested in Russian history, especially to anyone teaching such a course.Alan Rickman was wonderful in his portrayal. Greta Scacchi and Ian MacKellan were as well, in view of the fact that they were portraying such boring, stupid characters. The supporting cast was a nice backdrop for the glory and pageantry of the Russian Court.
