Rasputin the Mad Monk

Lee had me believing for a long time that Rasputin (ext. link) was tall and handsome. Many people seem to think, still, that Rasputin was indeed tall. That was not the case at all. He was short and quite ugly. Above all, the real Grigory Yefimovich had pale blue eyes, and not at all those warm brown ones.

Nevertheless, however totally unhistoric this tale is, the film Rasputin the Mad Monk (1966) has a very nice atmosphere to it. I have travelled to Russia many times, since Russia interests me greatly, and while many Western films do not comprehend any of what it portrays (Dr Zhivago, yuck!), this film it is different. (Go to this blogpost to watch it.)

It is a bit ironic, that it would be low-budget Hammer of all companies, to capture such a thing. In parts it is a bit silly, but just a bit. The costumes and scenes are quite remarkable, and suspense is there. It contains all the forbidden subjects of that time, mutilation, fights, alcohol and SEX.

Lee is mezmerising in the role of Rasputin. He makes the starets (Rasputin was no monk, mind you) very believable. Voice like a thunder and a portrayal of a man who is rapidly giving in to his own vices. And that is actually what happened. One of Lee's best performances, and for me, I love it for nostalgic reasons! The death scene is harrowing!  

An additional note is worth mentioning. Sir Lee met with the killers in his childhood. And he met Maria Rasputina, Grigory Yefimovichs daughter. She commented that he he captured his expression. I dared not ask her what she ment by that, Lee comments in Films of Christopher Lee. One of these clips shows stills throughout the film, with the dramatic film music. Wonderful!!

Under that, an excerpt from The Many Faces of Christopher Lee, where he shows a picture of him and Maria Rasputina.