"Ivan the Terrible, Parts I & II"
1946
Directed by Sergei Eisenstein

"Among the timeless riches of motion picture art."  The Washington Post.  Set against a 16th century backdrop, the fantastically rich decor and intense close-ups combine with Prokofiev's choral music to make this film one of the great achievements of Russian cinema. In part one, Ivan Grozny, Archduke of Moscow proclaims himself Ivan IV, Czar of all Russia, but faces treachery within his own family as his aunt plots to replace him with her simpleton son. Banned by Stalin because of its controversial depiction of Ivan's secret police, this film was not released until 1958.  After the great success of Ivan the Terrible, Part I, Eisenstein rushed to complete Part II as a continuation of the saga.  Part III, though planned, was never made. Color is used in two sequences.  Part II details Ivan's revenge on friends who had denounced him. Russian with English subtitles. 2 cassette set.  185 minutes.