[5]
Christopher Lee gives a boisterous performance as the legendary Grigori Rasputin, the duplicitous Russian consigliere to the Romanov family in the early 1900s. Hammer Films embraces Rasputin’s more mythic qualities in this Dracula-like horror film, where the disgraced monk uses his supernatural powers to control the minds of others. After luring one of the czarina’s ladies in waiting under his spell, he begins to gain influence with the royal family until a band of three men decide to vanquish him.
Rasputin: The Mad Monk lacks the visceral and atmospheric appeal of many other Hammer films, and it ends anti-climactically. What almost saves the film, however, is Lee’s sinister, larger-than-life performance. This is a rare opportunity for Lee to ham it up and chew the scenery, playing Rasputin as a womanizing, alcoholic party boy. Barbara Shelley is also very good as his hypnotized lover. The two have a wicked, compelling chemistry during the scenes where she willingly submits to him.
Directed by Don Sharp (The Kiss of the Vampire). With Richard Pasco, Francis Matthews, and Suzan Farmer.