Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)

People are voting emotionally.

Good movie but grossly overrated

As Good As It Gets

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

This routine Hammer story is definitely not one of the studio's finest - despite a barnstorming performance in the title role from Christopher Lee. The film fails to evoke much period atmosphere or, indeed, excitement, from the authentic historical story of the mad monk who insinuated himself into the Russian royal family. If you've seen Dracula - PRINCE OF DARKNESS, then some of the sets will be immediately recognisable as they were used in both films to reduce costs. Unfortunately as the entire film is set-bound, this lacks the visual beauty of the lush English countryside and woodland which Hammer exploited in their more fantasy-based films.Another disappointment is that the film plays like a historical drama with only a few explicit horror elements seemingly thrown in to make it more controversial. And the film's opening, which shows Rasputin trying to rape a peasant girl and cutting an attacker's hand off, promises so much more which is sadly not fulfilled. After this we settle into melodrama and court intrigue and things only pick up and become exciting towards the climax, where an enemy has acid thrown in his face and Rasputin dies a long, protracted death scene.I also felt that the acting was a bit sub-par this time around, apart from Lee, that is. Lee is wonderful here in his over the top role, playing the wild, rolling-eyed psychopath to the hilt, and he obviously enjoys the break from playing his usual aloof, uncommunicative roles. Physically he looks excellent to with his long greasy hair, bushy beard and bright red silk robes. It's a villainous role that Lee really gets his teeth into and makes his own. Barbara Shelley also appears in what I felt to be an acutely embarrassing performance; for most of the film she's either drunk, being hypnotised, or being humiliated.As for the supporting cast, I did enjoy Richard Pasco's turn as a snivelling sidekick who turns the tables on his oppressor in the final reel, but Francis Matthews gives a lazy performance and seems disinclined to actually act except where is necessary. The problem with the film is that it doesn't really go anywhere - too little is dwelt upon, and much of the action that takes place is trivial. I would have liked to have seen more of Rasputin and the explanations behind his healing abilities - here he's a stock, two-dimensional villain. This film could have been a lot more interesting with an epic, fully-fleshed feel to it, bringing out all the nuances in his character, but it's a simple tale of his rise and fall which never breaks any new boundaries nor tells us anything we don't know. Horror fans will enjoy the beginning and end, but the middle of this film is bound to disappoint everybody.

The life story of Grigori Rasputin, told Hammer style. Rasputin was one of the most fascinating historical figures of the early 20th century. Christopher Lee brings the character to life as a wild-eyed filthy miscreant with an insatiable lust and otherworldly powers. Make no mistake, Lee is the whole show here. When he's not around the movie feels like a stuffy British costume drama. But luckily for us, that's not often. Lee hams it up gloriously. It's one of his most memorable roles. It's not a horror movie although there are elements that resemble one. Being that it's from Hammer, there are also pretty women like Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer. The sets and costumes are nice. Don't look to this (or any) movie for a history lesson. It's a fun piece of entertainment that just happens to be based on real people and events. Even if you don't normally like Hammer films or historical biopics, you should be able to enjoy this.

This is a quota quickie in which the shots are called so fast that no-one has time to tell the cast how to pronounce the name of the lead character. Mr Lee calls himself "Raspoot'n", but the princess calls him, "Raspewtin". It's also one of those movies that unwind at so snail-like a pace – and with such economy of production values – that one has to do something to wile away the time. Not only is the plot agonizingly slow, but it's predictable. Worse still, it's packed to the gunwales with trite, tedious, banal dialogue, and acted by trite, tedious, banal characters like scenery-chewing Christopher Lee. Considering the poor quality of the cast, incompetent director Don Sharp is remarkably free with his close-ups. He obviously wants to make sure that even the most unobservant, half-asleep audiences would be sure to recognize what rotten acting is being presented for their entertainment. Even the women are an unattractive lot – and that is unusual for a Hammer film. Of course, unadventurous photography doesn't help any. Even the most unattractive lass can look like Marilyn Monroe with the proper lighting. Aside from two or three obvious stock shots, the sets are unashamedly "B"-grade. True, there's occasionally a bit of action, but on a scale of one to ten, Hammer fans are likely to give this one a duck. It's way below Hammer's usual blood-and-thunder standard, and even a free beard is unlikely to attract any but the most sold-out Hammer customers.

Biligerent and boisterous monk, Rasputin, who loves his wine and women, becomes drunk with power when Her Majesty Russia, Tsarina(Renée Asherson) depends on his miraculous healing powers, saving her son from certain death. Barbara Shelley is the Lady in Waiting, Sonia, who helps nanny Tsarina's boy and is under Rasputin's spell, used by him until she is no longer needed..it is she who allows Rasputin to get into Her Majesty's good graces, as he hypnotically forces her to intentionally harm the boy so that he could heal him of his fever. Dr. Zargo(Richard Pasco)is a former physician forbidden to practice medicine, who is "adopted", so to speak, by Rasputin(he was outbeaten by Rasputin in a drinking contest, for which the monk took him under his wing). Zargo witnesses first-hand the horrible treatment of Sonia by Rasputin, merely servicing him as a tool to get better living conditions and favor with Tsarina. There's one tragic scene where Rasputin orders Sonia to kill herself because he wanted her out of his life; the reason being she bored him! This is the kind of Hammer take on history where Rasputin is a villain who destroys everyone that gets in his way or is a waste to him. The only one that matters to Rasputin is Rasputin. Lee is barely recognizable under a long thick beard and scraggly hair, barking commands and dominating those weaker than him in nearly all his time on screen. It's only when Rasputin sets his eyes on Sonia's beautiful friend, Vanessa(Suzan Farmer), that might lead to his downfall, thanks to an orchestrated plan between Dr. Zargo and Vanessa's brother, Ivan(Francis Matthews), hoping to poison the evil monk, ridding the country of such a powerful menace. Sonia's poor brother Peter(Dinsdale Landen), just trying to avenge his sister's forced suicide, gets it in the face with acid. The exciting conclusion has Zargo trying to kill Rasputin over and over, repeatedly failing, needing help from Ivan to ultimately stop this madman. Don Sharp, the director of such underrated films as THE BRIDES OF FU MANCHU, WITCHCRAFT, & THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, often shoots Lee from afar, taking great advantage of his grand presence, unlike other established directors who wanted to bare more emphasis on his handsome face and intense eyes. Hammer studios take liberties on the history of Rasputin turning him into a seemingly indestructible, fierce, and always dangerous threat to anyone who dares cross him. Francis Matthews, Shelley, and Farmer all starred with Lee in Dracula--PRINCE OF DARKNESS in the same year.