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Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars' Plot

Original title: Ivan Groznyy. Skaz vtoroy: Boyarskiy zagovor
  • 1946
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
8.5K
YOUR RATING
Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars' Plot (1946)
BiographyDramaHistory

As Ivan the Terrible attempts to consolidate his power by establishing a personal army, his political rivals, the Russian boyars, plot to assassinate their Tsar.As Ivan the Terrible attempts to consolidate his power by establishing a personal army, his political rivals, the Russian boyars, plot to assassinate their Tsar.As Ivan the Terrible attempts to consolidate his power by establishing a personal army, his political rivals, the Russian boyars, plot to assassinate their Tsar.

  • Director
    • Sergei Eisenstein
  • Writer
    • Sergei Eisenstein
  • Stars
    • Nikolay Cherkasov
    • Serafima Birman
    • Pavel Kadochnikov
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    8.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sergei Eisenstein
    • Writer
      • Sergei Eisenstein
    • Stars
      • Nikolay Cherkasov
      • Serafima Birman
      • Pavel Kadochnikov
    • 50User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos48

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    Top cast17

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    Nikolay Cherkasov
    Nikolay Cherkasov
    • Czar Ivan IV
    Serafima Birman
    Serafima Birman
    • Boyarina Efrosinia Staritskaya
    Pavel Kadochnikov
    Pavel Kadochnikov
    • Vladimir Andreyevich Staritsky
    Mikhail Zharov
    Mikhail Zharov
    • Czar's Guard Malyuta Skuratov
    Amvrosi Buchma
    Amvrosi Buchma
    • Czar's Guard Aleksei Basmanov
    Vsevolod Pudovkin
    Vsevolod Pudovkin
    • Nikolay the Fanatic
    • (as V.I. Pudovkin)
    Mikhail Kuznetsov
    Mikhail Kuznetsov
    • Fyodor Basmanov
    Aleksandr Mgebrov
    • Novgorod's Archbishop Pimen
    Andrei Abrikosov
    Andrei Abrikosov
    • Archbishop Philip (formerly Fyodor Kolychev)
    Vladimir Balashov
    Vladimir Balashov
    • Pyotr Volynets
    Erik Pyryev
    • Ivan IV as a boy
    Mikhail Nazvanov
    Mikhail Nazvanov
    • Prince Andrei Kurbsky
    Pavel Massalsky
    Pavel Massalsky
    • King Sigismund of Poland
    Ada Voytsik
    Ada Voytsik
    • Elena Glinskaya, Ivan's Mother
    • (as Ada Vojtsik)
    Aleksandr Rumnev
    • The Stranger
    • (uncredited)
    Sergey Stolyarov
    Sergey Stolyarov
      Semyon Timoshenko
      • Kaspar von Oldenbock, Livonian ambassador
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Sergei Eisenstein
      • Writer
        • Sergei Eisenstein
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

      User reviews50

      7.78.5K
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      Featured reviews

      10zetes

      Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible films are two hugely underrated masterpieces

      There is not a single criticism I could make for either Ivan the Terrible Film. They are perfect films, original, effective, and affecting. Perhaps the two best films ever made. If not, they're to be included on my list of totally invaluable films, with not a doubt in my mind.

      II begins exactly where I ends. Ivan has consolidated his power in Moscow, at least with the people (though not with the nobles, or "boyars"). In fact, what power he has inspires jealousy and fear in the boyars.

      Ivan I builds Ivan up as a noble character. We despise the boyars for their flagrant wealth and greed, and we like Ivan for supporting the people. His closest comrades seem like Homeric heroes.

      Ivan II develops Ivan's character even further. He may have power, but he still feels alone on the throne. His two greatest friends have left him, one gone to religion and one to the enemy. His immediate underlings, perceived as heroes in Ivan I, have grown paranoid and powerful. They convince Ivan to execute left and right. The only route for the boyars is to conspire Ivan's death.

      Ivan II leads up to one of the single greatest climax I can think of. To heighten the effect, for the first time, Eisenstein opted to shoot in color. And as masterful as he was with black and white, he is also with color. The juxtaposition of color with black and white is absolutely amazing.

      The only problem with the film is no one's fault. Part II ends, open for the third installment. Alas, Sergei Eisenstein would die before its completion. We're lucky enough to have Ivan the Terrible Part II, for Stalin demanded that it not be released theatrically, believing Ivan to be a portrait of himself. Eisenstein, in fact, never had the chance to see it released theatrically, was never to hear the lavish praise from critics the world round. Here I praise it, hoping that in the next world possibly Eisenstein can know what masterworks he made.
      10kikuchiyo-1

      Shakespeare could like it

      While the first part of "Ivan the Terrible" is unique, stylized and powerful historical chronicle, second part is something more: poignant tragedy of authority. Since boyars poisoned Ivan's wife and his friends betrayed him, tsar remains in lonely. Oprichniki are only people he can trust. Ivan orders to kill some of boyars for instance, then Efrosinia Staricka (his aunt) sets plot against his life. One word gives atmosphere of this film: paranoia. Every character cares burden of fear - about his life, about his political business. Pervasive fear is delivered to us with unearthly dance of shadows, dramatic Prokofiev's score, haunting acting, poetic dialogs, monumental decorations and costumes. Everything looks very artificial but, paradoxically, not false; this film works with peerless emotional strength and brings as much true about authority as Shespeare's best works, being compatible to Maciavlelian theory of authority. There are only few films in history of cinema that so heavily consider problems of power (I'd mention "The Godfather, Part II" and Kurosawa's "Kagemusha" and "Ran" beside "Boyars Plot"). Don't miss. And if you decide to watch this film, I recommend: take great Criterion DVD box set which contains also first part and "Alexander Nevsky", another Eisenstein's sound masterpiece.
      10claudio_carvalho

      A Sequel That Is Another Masterpiece

      In 1564, Ivan, The Terrible (Nicolai Cherkasov), is feeling alone: his wife, friend and great companion was poisoned and his best friend, Prince Andreu Kurbsky (Mikhail Nazvanov) has betrayed him and delivered some Russian cities to Poland. Trying to have somebody to believe, he promotes Archbishop Philip (Andrei Abrikosov) to the highest authority of the church in the city of Moscow. Then, the story presents lot of treason in his court and a great revenge. This movie is so remarkable as `Part I' is. The photography, lights and shadows in black and white are again a piece of art. There are at least twenty minutes in color, and in my opinion t would be better off being only in black and white. The sumptuous scenarios are amazing, plenty of details and very luxury, and the story is a sequel of an epic. The direction and the performance of the cast are outstanding, making this movie another unforgettable masterpiece and highly recommended. However, it is necessary to watch the `Part I' first, otherwise the viewer will not understand the story. My vote is ten.
      10colossus34

      Eisenstein's UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

      Ivan the Terrible marks the final stages of the cinema's greatest creative genius: SERGI EISENSTEIN. It is the work of a director, a supreme artist who never ceased in probing new boundires, striking out uncharted paths, and searching the outer limits of his art. In the work, Eisenstein has gone eons beyond his earlier methods of film creation and for the first time approaches a true synthesis of dance, music, poetry, painting, photography, architecture, and all other forms of aesthetic communication.

      The trials and tribulations surrounding the production and distribution of Ivan have become legendary in there own right. The film drew sharp criticism from Stalin and Eisenstein was forced to publicly announce his ''formalist errors.'' Subsequently, the film was banned in Russia until 1958 and Eisenstein was ostracized for what many saw as a film full of ''excess.'' It took many years before the world would come to realize it is nothing short of his greatest masterpiece.

      A true cinematic realization of the ever elusive ''total work of art.'' A concept that originated with the Ancient Greeks and was further formulated by Richard Wagner in his epic masterwork, ''THE RING CYCLE.'' The Gestanmueack or ''intragel work of art'' as Wagner called it was in essence the synthesizing of every artistic medium into a single polyphonic experience. In the 20th century Eisenstein saw Wagner's music dramas as predecessors of cinema; a cinema that synthesized elements of all of mankind's arts into a single majestic, visceral and emotional experience which could transform and transfix the spectator. Together with the world renowned composer, master Sergei Prokofiev, and his lifelong cinematographer Eduard Tisse, Eisenstein labored for years researching and planning out every camera angle, lighting scheme, musical note, costume, color palette, gesture, and perspective; until every scene in Ivan becomes an intricate and complex world of its own. A world where actors twist and bend their forms to the limits of the plastic frame, shadows conceal and light reveals, the musical notes flow with the rhythm and tempo of the visual image and in the famous banquet scene, colors are used by Eisenstein to delve into the psychological states of the character's mind and state of being. It becomes a universe composed so precisely and diligently that every frame is infused with hidden metaphorical and symbolic meanings, and serves to create the epitome of cinematic achievement.

      Tragically, like Schubert's great ''Unfinished Symphony'' or the Venus di Milo, Eisenstein passed away before completing the final part of his epic masterwork. What remains of Ivan the Terrible will live forever as a testament not only to the genius of Sergei Eisenstein but also to his unparalleled contribution to the world culture of the 20th century.
      10ritamaduro

      This is the movie of my life

      Ivan Grosnyy, Part II is the movie of my life; the Part I is also a very good film. It is the masterpiece of Sergei Eisenstein. Unfortunately we can never see the Part III of this meant to be trilogy. The performances (especially Nikolai Cherkasov), the photography, the wardrobe, the scenarios and the shots are the most beautiful I have ever seen in the history of film-making. However, it is necessary to watch the Part I first to understand the history. I suggest to all the people who like this genre of film to see another very good film of Sergey Eisenstein: Alexander Nevsky once again with Nikolai Cherkasov in the main role. I recommend to all the people who want to see these movies to by the Criterion DVD box set, which contains also first part and, Alexander Nevsky. Don't die without seeing these masterpieces.

      More like this

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      7.6
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      Ivan the Terrible, Part III
      7.2
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      Alexander Nevsky
      7.5
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      October (Ten Days that Shook the World)
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      Eisenstein's Mexican Project
      7.4
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      Battleship Potemkin
      7.9
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      7.6
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      7.1
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      8.1
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      7.3
      Land and Freedom

      Related interests

      Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
      Biography
      Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
      Drama
      Liam Neeson in Schindler's List (1993)
      History

      Storyline

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      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        This film was withheld by Soviet authorities by order of Joseph Stalin, since this film, dealing with Ivan's slide into madness and the tyranny of the Oprichnina, did not properly mythologize Ivan IV Grozny to Stalin's satisfaction. It was not finally released until 10 years after the deaths of director Sergei Eisenstein and Stalin.
      • Goofs
        In the movie young Ivan IV is making a contract with the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. However it didn't exist since the 7th June 1238, almost 300 years before Ivan was born.
      • Quotes

        Czar Ivan IV: From now on I will become the one you call me. I will become terrible.

      • Crazy credits
        The main cast and their roles is read by the narrator with accompanied footage.
      • Connections
        Featured in The Secret Life of Sergei Eisenstein (1987)

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      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • November 24, 1959 (United States)
      • Country of origin
        • Soviet Union
      • Language
        • Russian
      • Also known as
        • Ivan the Terrible, Part Two
      • Filming locations
        • Almaty, Kazakhstan
      • Production companies
        • Mosfilm
        • Tsentralnuyu Obedinyonnuyu Kinostudiyu (TsOKS)
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

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      • Gross worldwide
        • $1,655
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Tech specs

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      • Runtime
        • 1h 28m(88 min)
      • Color
        • Black and White
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 1.37 : 1

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