Both parts of Ivan the Terrible are available to watch on The Criterion Channel.
One of the earliest instances of color film in the Soviet Union and a masterpiece trio lacking its final piece, Sergei Eisenstein’s Ivan the Terrible is a feat few films since conquer. I feel like we as a society have left behind giant historical epics in the past for some reason and this is a terrible mistake.
Also at one point during part one, Pavel Kadochnikov as Vladimir of Staritsa, had a huge booger in his nose and no one told him. Movies are great.
Although Stalin loved the first part, he did not love the second. Deemed “anti-historical”, part two was not to see the light until 10 years after the death of Sergei Eisenstein. Part three began production in 1946 but upon Eisenstein’s death two years later, the film was destroyed. Below is one of the few surviving shots.
I wish this movie existed so badly.
Eisenstein still has his Soviet Montage sensibilities about him with Ivan the Terrible. Even though the editing was built around silent film, it works perfectly in tandem with sound. Filled with the classic quick cuts and close-ups we have come to expect from one of the pioneers of the movement, it creates intensity and excitement throughout the films.
The cinematography is also equally as great, especially in the first part. The interior shots of part one were done by Andrei Moskvin and exterior shots done by Eduard Tisse and both cinematographers have a hold on what they are doing and getting the perfect shots to exude the feeling of massive battlegrounds or small chambers. I don’t know if it is a product of Moskvin, Tisse, and Eisenstein’s own ideas or not but many shots feel like they have the influence of German Expressionism, especially with the heavy use of shadows.
Throughout several points in the second film, we have brief switches to color film. This is one of the earliest instances of color film in the Soviet Union. I think it also really brings out how greasy and scary Ivan the Terrible truly looks.
Sadly, something that was mostly left behind in the cinema of this era is just absolutely massive battles. One of the few modern examples I can think of is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We need to do this more, a LOT more. It is just incredible how choreographed and huge they feel.
Huge sets and costumes are incredibly important in this film and also incredibly awesome. If you are even just a fan of set design or costumes, you should watch both of these films.
One of my favorite paintings of all time also happens to be of the same subject matter. Ilya Repin’s 1885 work, Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan, stands at a massive 6’7” by 8’4”. I don't have much to say about this piece. It is incredibly powerful and hard to put into words that live up to the emotional effect it has.
No surprise here, I’m going to pair this movie with Black One by Sunn O))). Grueling vocals, massive sound, and meditative quality. If you don’t already listen to Sunn O))) you should. “Orthodox Caveman” is my favorite song by them and it’s on this release. The guitars on that song are truly demented.