Rasputin The Mad Monk
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

Christopher Lee shines in this Hammer classic based on the life of Rasputin, the much hated monk with supposed supernatural powers who wangled his way into the confidence of the Russian royal family and manipulated the Tsar to try to control the Russian state. This film shows Rasputin’s break with the church, his rise to power and his amazing powers of healing, suggestion and seduction. Lee is great as Rasputin, the man who simply won’t die.

The film opens in the Russian countryside, an inn-keeper’s wife is lying near death in bed and the doctor who examines her, announces to the family that there is nothing more that he can do, and this woman will die soon. As the doctor leaves, in comes the rather loud, brash and downright rude monk Rasputin who proceeds to complain that he can’t get a drink and then, upon learning that this is because the inn-keeper’s wife is near death, marches in, places his hands on her and heals her with his touch.

The inn-keeper thanks him and they hold a party at the inn, during the course of the party, Rasputin chats to the inn-keeper’s daughter and the two of them make their way out into the hay of the barn. When things go a little too far and Rasputin attempts to have his way with her, the locals come in and stop him. In the course of the fight, Rasputin cuts off the hand of one of his opponents and the next day, he is brought in front of a board of enquiry who is most displeased with him and the mad monk is banished from his sight.

Travelling to St Petersburg, the capital of Russia, Rasputin soon comes across a group of men and women from the palace, one of whom is the lady in waiting to the Tzaress herself and responsible for looking after the young Tsar prince. Rasputin seduces the woman and, after having his way, hypnotises her to allow the prince to be hurt in order for him to be called to heal him. His plan works perfectly and soon he is in direct contact with the Tsaress and begins to manipulate her to his will.

The enemies of Rasputin join forces in order to stop the mad monk from manipulating the Royals… they put together a plot to kill Rasputin… but will they succeed… and will he actually die? Hammer cleverly blends history and horror together to make a gripping picture. Lee is brilliant as the evil Rasputin and almost unrecognisable in the role (so much hair!). A great film about one of history’s most dangerous villains, add to your list now.

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