Rasputin: The Mad Monk

 

Rasputin: The Mad Monk

1966

Director- Don Sharp

Cast- Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Richard Pasco, Renée Asherson,

            This film is a bit of a departure for Hammer, being less a horror film and more of a historical drama with horrific elements.  It is loosely based on the real-life exploits and gruesome death of Russian mystic, Grigori Rasputin. The real-life Rasputin had insinuated himself into the imperial court. He supposedly had mystic powers that he used to gain favor in that court. He was rather licentious and many believed that he was dominating the mind of the Russian Empress. He was finally assassinated and (if the stories are to be believed) was tougher to kill than the most determined 80s slasher.

            Rasputin’s larger than life legend was a popular story almost as soon as he died. The Hammer film was made only 50 years after his death and already several other films had been made.

            The movie was made back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness using some of the same sets and most of the same cast (Lee, Shelley, Farmer, Matthews). The director, Don Sharp, had already done several Hammer films, most notably Kiss of the Vampire.

            Interestingly, Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Rasputin was probably closer to the Dracula that appeared in Stoker’s novel than any version of Dracula that Lee ever played. Lee’s Rasputin is a narcissistic sociopath who dominates people’s minds and casts them aside when he’s done with them. He is a truly loathsome villain. Lee described it as one of the best performances of his life and it may be.

            Barbara Shelley likewise turns in a strong performance as the lady in waiting whose mind is controlled by Rasputin. Shelley had played tragic characters before in The Gorgon and Dracula, Prince of Darkness, but this was a meatier part and the viewer really does feel sorry for her as she debases herself before the unfeeling Rasputin.

            For Hammer fans familiar with their straight up horror pics, this might be a strange transition. After all, there are no vampires, ghosts, sorcerers, or reanimated creatures.  But any fan of Christopher Lee will be surprised to see just how despicable he can be.