The last work of pioneering Soviet director Sergei Eisentstein, IVAN THE TERRIBLE is an ambitious, stylized, and ornate portrait of Russia's first czar. Released in two parts, it has been cited on many lists of the 10 best motion pictures of all time, as well as in a book called
The Fifty
Worst Films of All Time.
At his coronation as czar, Ivan IV (Nikolai Cherkasov) pledges to unify Russia and reclaim outlying areas that have been lost to foreign powers. In bitter opposition to Ivan's ascendancy are the boyars, Russia's noble families. Three ambassadors from Kazan appear at the royal court to announce a
declaration of war on Moscow. Ivan leads his a...
Released:
1945
Rated:
NR
Length:
96 mins