Rasputin and the Empress Movie Review 1933

Lavish historical epic teamed the three Barrymore sibs for the first and only time, as they vied for scene-stealing honors. Ethel is Empress Alexandra of Russia, tied to the weak-willed Nicholas II (Morgan) and under the spell of Rasputin, played by Lionel. John is a nobleman who seeks to warn the Russian rulers of their perilous perch on the throne, made only worse by Rasputin's spreading power and corruption. Ethel's first talkie and Wynyard's first film role. Uncredited director Charles Brabin was replaced by Boleslawski due to his incompatability with the imperious Ethel.

Distribution

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Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 123 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Russian Revolution, Historical Drama, Royalty, Russian, Russia/USSR, Period Piece: 20th Century, Rabbi, Monks

Screenplay

Charles MacArthur

Cast

Ethel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Ralph Morgan, Diana Wynyard, Tad Alexander, C. Henry Gordon, Edward Arnold, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Anne Shirley, Jean Parker, Henry Kolker

Cinematography

William H. Daniels

Director

Richard Boleslawski

Producer

Bernard H. Hyman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures