Rasputin And The Empress (1932)

Rasputin And The Empress - 1932

Our next film is 1932's "Rasputin And The Empress" and stars the three famous Barrymore siblings in the only picture they made together.  It's a familiar story: Rasputin comes to the Empress when she needs him most and he takes advantage of his position to undermine Russia.

The film's cast includes Ethel Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Ralph Morgan, Tad Alexander, John Barrymore, Diana Wynyard, C. Henry Gordon, Louise Closser Hale, and Mischa Auer.

Russians have gathered to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty, and they anxiously await the arrival of the Imperial Family at a celebratory church service.

After his parents arrive, the Czarevitch brings a smile to the faces of all who see him in the cathedral.

He is followed by his sisters, and the family makes their way through the cathedral to the altar.

Prayers are recited for the health and protection of the Romanovs.  The Czar also says a prayer for the prosperity for Russia and its people.

In one part of the cathedral, sadness mars the occasion.  Princess Natasha, lady-in-waiting to the Empress, has just been informed that her father, Grand Duke Serge, has been assassinated.  Her uncle, Grand Duke Igor, tells her that her place is by the Empress's side no matter the circumstance.  She gathers all her strength and (with the help of her fiance Prince Paul) maintains her composure.

After the service, the Imperial family receives their distinguished guests in an audience.

They are horribly disturbed when one of the guests offers his condolences on the death of Grand Duke Serge, which they had been unaware of.  The Czar orders that the audience be canceled.

He and the Empress retreat to the privacy of their apartments, where they think about Serge and reminisce about happier times for themselves and for Russia.

Later on, the Czarevitch has a fall, which instantly worries the Empress.  He is packed off into the palace.

It is revealed by the doctor to Prince Paul that the Czarevitch is suffering from an illness of the blood which he inherited from his mother.  His condition is very serious, and it's true nature has been kept a secret from the public.  The Empress prays for a miracle.

Natasha comes to the Empress with Rasputin, a mystic who has had a great success with healings.  The Empress is unsure, but she allows Rasputin to pray for her son.

Alone with the boy, Rasputin does more than pray.  He hypnotizes the Czarevitch so that he is completely under his power.

Later on after the boy's recovery, Rasputin uses his position at court to influence appointments within Russia's government.  He uses his access to police documents to blackmail individuals to doing his will.  He also visits the wives of important men and has them trade sexual favors in exchange for their husbands' advancement.

At a party given for Rasputin by Natasha, Paul confides to her that he is very uncomfortable with Rasputin.

Paul goes to the Empress and tries to convince her that her son has been hypnotized by Rasputin, but all she can see is that her son is well again.  Paul knows that something must be done about Rasputin's evil influence.

Princess Natasha goes to Rasputin and tells him that his life is in danger, and that Paul is plotting against him.

Paul does indeed attack Rasputin.  When the two are alone, he pulls out a gun and shoots him.  Rasputin, being forewarned, is wearing a metal breastplate and is unharmed.

Later, during a military review, Rasputin continues to show that the Czarevitch is under his control.

Rasputin goes to the Czar with his complaint that Prince Paul tried to murder him.  The Czar asks Paul for his resignation from his Imperial duties.

Still believing in his own invincibility, Rasputin begins to make advances towards one of the Czar's daughters.  Princess Natasha finds out about it, confronts Rasputin, and threatens to go to the Empress.  He overpowers her and puts her into a deep trance.

The Empress comes in and Rasputin tries to divert her attention away from Natasha.  (Note that the Empress is wearing a pendant of a swastika.  The inclusion of this piece of jewelry is extremely strange, as this film was released just after Hitler's takeover of Germany.  The swastika was a very popular religious decoration during the period which the film portrays, but its usage during this time in the 1930s was strongly discouraged by Hollywood.  It's interesting that it slipped through in this film.)

The Empress shakes Natasha out of her trance, and she tells the Empress what she observed Rasputin doing.  He calls Natasha a liar and strikes her, causing her to fall.  The Empress is furious and orders him out of the palace.

Before he goes, he tells her that he is the real Czar of Russia, and anything she orders or sends to the Czar will never reach him.

The Empress has one hope left.  She sends for Prince Paul, who comes to her during her work at a hospital.  He tells her that he knows what to do.

A large party is organized with Rasputin being the guest of honor.  During the party, he's served a large quantity of alcohol and cakes.  He recognizes one of the butlers as an employee of Prince Paul.  Rasputin has the entire place searched.

Prince Paul is indeed found.  Rasputin takes him by gunpoint to the cellar.

Once in the cellar, Paul tells Rasputin that the cakes he has been eating all night were poisoned.  A fight ensues and Rasputin is injured.  He tells Paul that if he dies, Russia dies.  Eventually, Rasputin is killed, drowning in a frozen river after he escapes from the cellar.

At the moment of Rasputin's death, the Czarevitch comes out of his trance, and he hugs his mother.

Things go from bad to worse in Russia.  The Imperial Family is removed from power and they are eventually taken to Siberia, where they are murdered.

Cast rundown:

   Ethel Barrymore......................................The Czarina

   Lionel Barrymore.....................................Rasputin

   Ralph Morgan..........................................The Czar

   Tad Alexander..........................................The Czarevitch

   John Barrymore.......................................Prince Paul Chegodieff

   Diana Wynyard........................................Princess Natasha

   C. Henry Gordon......................................Grand Duke Igor

   Louise Closser Hale..................................Princess

   Mischa Auer.............................................Butler

And that's it for Rasputin And The Empress.  This was Ethel Barrymore's debut in a sound film.  This film also caused a lawsuit which resulted in a disclaimer being put on nearly all future films which read: "This motion picture is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental".  The character of Princess Natasha was modeled on Princess Irina Yusupov, whose husband Prince Felix was mixed in the plot to kill Rasputin.  The Yusupovs sued the film company and received over $1 million in compensation.

The film is also notable because it contains real footage of the Romanov family, which MGM purchased from a collector.

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