Rasputin: The Mad Monk

Watch: Rasputin: The Mad Monk

Unrated

4/6/19661h 31m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Ladies' Man - And Lady Killer! ~

Overview:

Rasputin, a crazed and debauched monk wreaks havoc at the local inn one night, chopping off the hand of one of the drinkers. As the bitter locals plan their revenge, the evil Rasputin works his power over the beautiful women who serve at the Tsar's palace. Even the Tsarina herself is seduced by his evil ways and, as his influence begins to dominate government policy, there is only one course of action left... to destroy him before he destroys them all.

Director:

Don Sharp

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

assassination
peasant
mystic
st. petersburg, russia
biography
hypnotist
hypnotism
debauchery
pair of evil eyes
1900s
bad influence
poisoning
russian empire
romanov dinasty
acid burning
seducer
czarina / tsarina / tzarina
falling out window

Cast

Christopher Lee

~ as ~

Grigori Rasputin

Barbara Shelley

~ as ~

Sonia

Richard Pasco

~ as ~

Dr. Zargo

Francis Matthews

~ as ~

Ivan

Suzan Farmer

~ as ~

Vanessa

Dinsdale Landen

~ as ~

Peter

Renée Asherson

~ as ~

Tsarina

Derek Francis

~ as ~

Innkeeper

Joss Ackland

~ as ~

The Bishop

Robert Duncan

~ as ~

Tsarvitch

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

John Chard
Written 9 year(s) ago
6
I offer him sins worth forgiving!

1966 was a prolific year for Hammer Films, the company would have 6 films released this year, unsurprisingly the quality of such was variable. Rasputin the Mad Monk was filmed back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness, yet even though the BBFC afforded it the "X" certificate, it's somewhat tame and more a historical drama than horror film.

In truth it's Christopher Lee as the title character who keeps this from plunging the depths of stinkerville, and this in spite of sporting a most distracting and ridiculous beard. Plot simply - and fancifully - shows Rasputin as a hard drinking, womanising bully with a penchant for hypnotism, all of which he uses for his nefarious ends.

It's all very colourful, with Lee holding court as male saps and beautiful dames (Barbara Shelley oh my eye!) come and go, which all builds to a furious finale in the Hammer Films tradition. Yet the slow pace, weakness of the story and the overt feeling of watching a rush job, stops this from being anything but a Hammer time waster. 6/10
Wuchak
Written 4 year(s) ago
7
Holy man or unholy devil’s child?

A mysterious licentious monk named Grigori Rasputin (Christopher Lee) emerges from western Siberia with powers of healing and hypnosis. He worms his way into favor with the imperial family in prerevolutionary Saint Petersburg, in particular Alexandra (Renée Asherson), but his negative influence and debaucheries prompt conservative opponents to action. The cast is rounded out by Barbara Shelley, Richard Pasco and Francis Matthews.

"Rasputin: The Mad Monk” (1966) is a Hammer historical drama/thriller with a bit o’ horror. It’s not a detailed real-life account, but offers the gist of the story in an entertaining manner, which inspires viewers to look up the actual history. Christopher Lee is outstanding as the eponymous character, both commanding and convincing. Meanwhile Shelley is a highlight on the feminine front.

Rasputin was assassinated in late, 1916. It is said that his corruption of the government was responsible for the rising discontent of Russians, leading to the October revolution the next year and downfall of the monarchy.

The movie runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot at Bray Studios, just west of London.

GRADE: B/B-