Ivan the Terrible (Part 1)

About Ivan the Terrible (Part 1)

Part one of "Ivan the Terrible," directed by Sergei Eisenstein in 1944 is the first section of an intended trilogy depicting the life and times of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia. The movie paints Ivan as a national hero and a leader fighting against boyar aristocrats. The film exits due to Ivan's long absence to recuperate from an illness, controversially painting his retreat as tactical.

Making / Production

Decided upon in 1941 and commenced in 1943, the movie was made in a storage area in Kazakhstan due to the war. The film was severely edited under Joseph Stalin’s orders particularly during the war and the post-war periods.

Actors

• Nikolay Cherkasov as Ivan IV, elaborately plays the role of Ivan, showcasing his psychological complexities.
• Ludmila Tselikovskaya as Tsarina Anastasia, Ivan's wife, whose influence shows Ivan's human side.
• Serafima Birman as Boyarina Eupraxia, conveys political scheming and the power dynamics of the time.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Stalin greatly influenced the film's production, ensuring an image of Ivan that served political purposes.
• The film represented the first appearance of a royal coronation in Russian cinema.
• Ivan the Terrible - part 1 was acclaimed in Russia and abroad.

Awards

The film won the Stalin Prize in 1946 which was the USSR's state honor.

Quotes

• "Not for myself, for thee I labor!" - Ivan
• "If I am terrible, then it serves the purpose of justice." - Ivan

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's music was composed by Sergei Prokofiev, and is acclaimed for enhancing the film’s dramatic narrative.
• Prokofiev’s score matches the intensity of Ivan’s character and his dilemmas.