Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Leofwine_draca This routine Hammer story is definitely not one of the studio's finest - despite a barnstorming performance in the title role from Christopher Lee. The film fails to evoke much period atmosphere or, indeed, excitement, from the authentic historical story of the mad monk who insinuated himself into the Russian royal family. If you've seen Dracula - PRINCE OF DARKNESS, then some of the sets will be immediately recognisable as they were used in both films to reduce costs. Unfortunately as the entire film is set-bound, this lacks the visual beauty of the lush English countryside and woodland which Hammer exploited in their more fantasy-based films.Another disappointment is that the film plays like a historical drama with only a few explicit horror elements seemingly thrown in to make it more controversial. And the film's opening, which shows Rasputin trying to rape a peasant girl and cutting an attacker's hand off, promises so much more which is sadly not fulfilled. After this we settle into melodrama and court intrigue and things only pick up and become exciting towards the climax, where an enemy has acid thrown in his face and Rasputin dies a long, protracted death scene.I also felt that the acting was a bit sub-par this time around, apart from Lee, that is. Lee is wonderful here in his over the top role, playing the wild, rolling-eyed psychopath to the hilt, and he obviously enjoys the break from playing his usual aloof, uncommunicative roles. Physically he looks excellent to with his long greasy hair, bushy beard and bright red silk robes. It's a villainous role that Lee really gets his teeth into and makes his own. Barbara Shelley also appears in what I felt to be an acutely embarrassing performance; for most of the film she's either drunk, being hypnotised, or being humiliated.As for the supporting cast, I did enjoy Richard Pasco's turn as a snivelling sidekick who turns the tables on his oppressor in the final reel, but Francis Matthews gives a lazy performance and seems disinclined to actually act except where is necessary. The problem with the film is that it doesn't really go anywhere - too little is dwelt upon, and much of the action that takes place is trivial. I would have liked to have seen more of Rasputin and the explanations behind his healing abilities - here he's a stock, two-dimensional villain. This film could have been a lot more interesting with an epic, fully-fleshed feel to it, bringing out all the nuances in his character, but it's a simple tale of his rise and fall which never breaks any new boundaries nor tells us anything we don't know. Horror fans will enjoy the beginning and end, but the middle of this film is bound to disappoint everybody.

LeonLouisRicci It's an Odd One to be Sure and Falling Somewhere in the Mid-Range of Hammer Studio's Output of Always Interesting Films is this Christopher Lee Vehicle that Utilizes the Tall Actor with the Distinctive Voice Quite Effectively.Efficiency, for the Studio, was the Word as the Sixties Unfolded and Hammer Seemed to get a Bit Lazy and Detached from Their Art and the Movies Sunk Somewhat in Charm, Style, and Charisma.However, if it's a Hammer Film, it's Worth a Watch. This One is Average for the Studio, but Above Average Overall. Elevated by Lee's Bombastic, Yet Internalized Performance. Sure its Flamboyant and Fictionalized, but the Actor does Maintain a Suffering Soul, just Below the Surface. There is Pain in there Somewhere, but it is Overwhelmed and Corrupted by the Hedonism.The Movie can Look Cheap at Times, for a Hammer, that Usually could Mask Low Production Values and Present the Movies with a Rich Look that made the Lack of Money Moot. But, these Sixties Hammers, with Some Exceptions, were Claustrophobic with Minimal and Confined Sets and Virtually No Outdoor Shoots.Overall, it is an Entertaining Movie with Some Brutal Moments and a Killer Ending. Historically Inaccurate by All Accounts, but this is Pulpy Fiction and Although Not the Best in the Hammer Filmography, it has Enough of an Edge, Thanks to Lee and the Studio Delivering Just Enough Sex and Violence to Make it a Guilty Pleasure.

Theo Robertson Shown as part the Hammer double bill that gets shown on the UK Horror Channel the audience might feel rather cheated by the schedulers . Being a Hammer production and starring Christopher Lee you can be forgiven for thinking you're going to be watching a horror film of sorts . Add to that the fact that the station might be called The Horror Channel for a reason and you'll be disappointed that this is in no way a horror movie despite the studio brand name That said it does have a bizarre feel down to director Don Sharp directing everything in a way that he would have directed a horror movie . As you can imagine much of this is achieved by having intrusive scary music blasting all over the soundtrack to tell the audience this scene contains a lot of menace and any second now a monster will be appearing which being a pseudo historical film will not be the case and the only scene approaching horror is a scene where a rubber hand drops past the screen . The emphasis is on "pseudo " which means from a historical point of view there's not a lot to recommend this movie and pales in to insignicence compared to something like DOCTOR ZHIVAGO which was released at the same time and was set in the period and locale . Of some interest is that being a Hammer film the little Englander mentality is present and the characters being foreign all have prominent suntans because all foreigners even ones living in a country like Russia must have suntans . Apart from that there's little other interest to the film unless you enjoy watching the Hammer repertory cast emote and overact in a rather ludicrous manner almost as if they're having a contest to see who can shout the most which has an entertainment value of sorts

Armand a kind of big error. but this was its purpose. clichés about Russia and Rasputin in a strange ball. and Christopher Lee as axis of this chaos.the film is fake and that is not a mistake in a period when the supposition about this subject was many. it is commercial product and this can be an excuse. but it is not enough. because it has not only connection with real facts. and the desire of Lee to do a credible Rasputin remains a great fiasco. sure, it is not a surprise. the desire is to impress and the accuracy is only insignificant detail. so, a cocktail Dracula - demonic monk - few dances and the victory of good guys is perfect recipes. a minor movie with strong smell of kitsch. and one of Christopher Lee roles who must be forgiven.