Rasputin, The Mad Monk [1996]

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NOT ONE OF HAMMER HORROR'S BEST.......2007-08-06

After being thrown out of his monastery for his carefree sinful behaviour of drinking, womanising and gluttony. Rasputin a mysterious Russian monk heads to St Petersburg to use his hypnotic and healing abilities to gain power and influence, by manipulating Tsarina and the people around her.

Forget about the historical context of this icon, and simply enjoy Hammer's glum and hysterical fictional take on the factual story. Christopher Lee looking all scruffy and beady-eyed basically goes bananas in his tremendously larger than life portrayal of the unsettling figure. He bellows out his dialogue with plenty of blunt intensity and an underlining creepiness. Watch him dance, drink, dance, laughing, pigging out, drinking... etc. Lee is unforgettable and simply having the time of his life as the "Love-machine"! The inventive premise keeps clear from the politics and actual events, and its unique spin seems more concern of drawing up the interesting Rasputin character and how he played everyone he saw that was important to his development of his own needs. The hot-and-cold script is rather lukewarm and boggy to tell the truth, but this aspect was mainly overshadowed due to its fast pacing and brazen performances. A stylistic Barby Shelley is sensationally strong and a twitchy Richard Pasco is impeccably solid. There's also capable support by Susan Farmer, Francis Mathews and Dinsdale Landen. Director Don Sharp vividly heightens the film with suspenseful thrills, powerful visuals and convincingly raw and atmospheric set pieces. The baroque set-designs are assuredly handled and the murky backdrop is well conceived from its cheap origins to look a tad classier. Photography is constantly leering and the music score has that untamed grandiose sound we've come to expect in their presentations.

Maniac, volume changing fun by Hammer that's well worth the gander for a toweringly juicy Lee performance.

Not one of Hammer's Best.......2004-12-30

Made back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness, using the same sets, and most of the same actors, it was made on the cheap, and looks it too. Historically, its a duff. Entertainment wise, its not bad. The story covers the emergence of Rasputin into Romanov society before the Russian Revolution. The script is rather weak, but the fine actors do carry it though. Christopher Lee made a great effort in his role as Rasputin. Francis Matthews; Dinsdale Landen and Richard Pasco play the conspirators who finally kill Rasputin believing his influence on the Tsarina could lead to the downfall of the Romanovs which of course does happen in 1917. In supporting roles are two lovely Hammer actresses Barbara Shelley and Suzan Farmer who were also in Dracula Prince of Darkness. Overall, its not a bad effort. It has enough material to while away an evening, but dont expect any shocks though. Picture and sound arent too bad on DVD. However, as far as extras are concerned, there are none whatsoever. Still, its cheap enough to buy, and maybe if you are a die hard Hammer fan, am sure you will add this to your collection.

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