Christopher Lee

Barbara Shelley

Richard Pasco

Francis Matthews

Suzan Farmer

Dinsdale Landen

Renée Asherson

Derek Francis

Joss Ackland

Robert Duncan

Alan Tilvern

John Welsh

John Bailey

Prudence Hyman

Lucy Fleming

Michael Ripper

Michael Godfrey

Bryan Marshall

Maggie Wright

Cyril Shaps

Brian Wilde

Don Sharp

Anthony Nelson Keys

Don Banks

Michael Reed

Roy Hyde

Bernard Robinson

Don Mingaye

Anthony Hinds

Roy Ashton

Frieda Steiger

Mike Rutter

Lorna Selwyn

Bert Batt

Roy Baker

Ken Rawkins

Cecil Cooney

James Needs

Philip Martell

Ross MacKenzie

Horror

Rasputin: The Mad Monk

Hammer Film Productions

Seven Arts Productions

United Kingdom

English

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

manipulative male lead

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

_**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-

Rasputin: The Mad Monk / The Reptile - Original Theatrical Trailer (1966)

Rasputin: The Mad Monk( 1966)

Ladies' Man - And Lady Killer!

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A review by John Chard

Written by John Chard on Mon Mar 28 2016

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