rasputin the mad monk (1966)

The last few years in the life of Rasputin, following his rise to court physician and religious adviser to his assassination. We open with Rasputin (Christopher Lee) curing an innkeepers wife, getting drunk, attempting to rape his daugher and then fighting his way back to the monastery. This is obviously not our standard monk! Obviously the abbot isn't too happy with Rasputins behaviour and throws him out, someone suggests he try his luck in St Petersburg, so away he goes. There he worms his way into the affections of one of the Czarina's ladies in waiting (Barbara Shelley), and from there he starts to influence the Czarina. But whilst he makes allies of the women of court, the men are not so easy, and soon fear he has undue control over the Tzars household and plot to take him out of the picture. Don't look here for historical accuracy, the film concentrates on Rasputin, his charisma and extraordinarily hypnotic power. Centered on a great performance by Christopher Lee. Without this the film would be a standard Hammer costumed drama, but Lee has the look and feel of Rasputin as he glowers and growls his way through an otherwise standard Hammer.