Drama,History
Russia,Soviet Union
The film opens with the coronation of Ivan IV or Ivan the Terrible (played by Nikolai Cherkasov) at the age of 16. He is crowned by Metropolitan Philip (played by Mikhail Zharov), who warns him of the dangers of the crown and urges him to rule justly. Ivan is initially idealistic and seeks to bring unity to Russia by forging alliances with the various aristocratic families. However, he soon discovers that the aristocracy is corrupt and power-hungry, and they begin to conspire against him.
One of the key conspirators is Prince Kurbsky (played by Pavel Kadochnikov), a close friend of Ivan's who seeks to take the throne for himself. Kurbsky plots with other aristocrats and even foreign powers to overthrow Ivan and establish a new regime. Ivan also faces challenges from his own inner circle, including his aunt Euphrosyne (played by Serafima Birman) and his wife Anastasia (played by Lyudmila Tselikovskaya), who become disillusioned with his rule.
Ivan responds to these challenges by becoming increasingly paranoid and brutal. He establishes a secret police force, the Oprichniki, who terrorize and execute his enemies. He also begins to see himself as a divine figure, and his grip on reality becomes increasingly tenuous. The film ends with Ivan declaring himself the rightful ruler of all of Russia and laying the foundation for his future campaigns of conquest and terror.
Eisenstein's directorial style is highly stylized and experimental, with bold use of color, shadow, and camera angles. He also employs a semi-documentary style, using historical sources and details to create a realistic depiction of Ivan's reign. The film was highly controversial at the time of its release, as it was seen as glorifying a tyrant, but it is now considered a classic of Soviet and world cinema.
