Nicholas and Alexandra
by Franklin J. Schaffner
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DVD details
Actor: Ania Marson, Janet Suzman, Lynne Frederick, Michael Jayston, Roderic NobleDirector: Franklin J. Schaffner
Brand: Sony
Cinematographer: Freddie Young
Producer: Franklin J. Schaffner
Producer: Andrew Donally
Producer: Sam Spiegel
Writer: Edward Bond
Writer: James Goldman
Writer: Robert K. Massie
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Georgian (Subtitled); Chinese (Subtitled); Thai (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 2.35:1
Running Time: 183 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-07-27
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures
DVD Reviews of Nicholas and Alexandra
DVD Review: fascinating last days of Russia's Tsar
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on Robert K. Massie's meticulously researched book (adapted by screenwriters James Goldman and Edward Bond), NICHOLAS & ALEXANDRA (1971) paints a vivid portrait of Russia's final royal rulers. Although it milks sympathy at every possible opportunity, it's not hard to find pity and anger in this shocking chapter of history.
I need not waste time by summarising the plot (earlier reviewers have already done so); though the film follows the Imperial family from the birth of fifth child Alexei, through the disastrous war years which toppled their rulership, finally ending on the night in 1918 when they were executed by the Bolsheviks.
In a bold move, producers cast stage actress Janet Suzman (in her movie debut) as Alexandra and Michael Jayston as Nicholas; and surrounded them with a galaxy of esteemed talents in the supporting roles (chiefly among them Irene Worth as the Dowager Empress, Michael Redgrave as Sazonov, Laurence Olivier as Count Witte, and Tom Baker as a chilling Rasputin). Lynne Frederick, Candace Glendenning, Fiona Fullerton and Ania Marson do what they can with the relatively minor roles of the royal daughters; and Roderic Noble adds untold depths in a very solid performance as Alexei.
Fans and followers of Anastasia will be a little disappointed that her role in the story is no bigger than the rest of the daughters; though Fiona Fullerton is charming in the part (she'd be reunited the following year with Michael Jayston in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" with Jayston playing author Lewis Carroll to her Alice in the opening and closing scenes of the movie).
The film garnered well-deserved Academy Awards for 'Best Art Direction' (John Box, Ernest Archer, Gil Parrondo, Vernon Dixon); and 'Best Costume Design' (Yvonne Blake, Antonio Castillo). It should be noted that designer John Box was already quite familiar with the subject at hand, having already earned the 1965 'Best Colour Art Direction' award for his work in "Doctor Zhivago", another story cemented in the Russian Revolution.
Further Viewing: I'd definitely recommend the 1986 miniseries "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" as a followup to viewing this movie. Based on the fascinating book by Peter Kurth (and also scripted by James Goldman), this story follows Anna Anderson, by far the most notorious claimant of the Romanov family fortune. Amy Irving leads a star-studded international cast.
DVD Review: Incredibly good
Summary: 5 Stars
An opulent, rewarding, deeply stirring and fascinating review of the tragic reign of Nicholas and Alexandra. I think Michael Jayston is very impressive and compelling as Nicholas. He seems to get such little credit for the strength of this film. The story itself is certainly one of the more disturbing aspects of 20th century history, mostly because it is just very sad, and their deaths so pointlessly cruel. But then, I suppose I'm one of only few that still believe there is both a purpose and transcendental value to aristocracy and monarchy. I even have grudging respect for, yes, the divine right of kings. That's mostly because life is so lacking in dignity these days. The rabble (who think way too much of themselves, too) tend to elevate and ritually sacrifice CELEBRITIES instead, and what a poor compromise they are for our diminished senses. And I'm sorry, American presidents, senators, judges and business tycoons will probably never make the cut. But in other parts of the globe, I take great comfort that people of royal lineage with values instilled from birth (or otherwise well-educated, cultured and mannered) are still comfortable navigating a wealth of public rituals and duties. Prince Harry is an embarrassing exception, but I think the Thai Monarchy, the Japanese Imperial Family, or Kingdom of Jordan are good examples. As I said, a pretty rare view, but precisely why this movie makes both a deep impression and creates an insatiable longing for the pageantry and traditions of seemingly lost eras. DVD Review: Great Historical Epc
Summary: 4 Stars
A very well done telling of the story of ill fated Russian Imperial couple Nicholas and Alexanra as basssed on teh MAssie book. The movie is lavish and mostly historically accurate. It helps tht the actors look like the historical characters they portray. This DVD version even includes a scene I remember from when the film was originally released that was cut from all subsequent TV and video versions.DVD Review: Not Like Nicholas
Summary: 2 Stars
I appreciate other reviewers' lovely comments about the beautiful settings of this film but I was so irked by Michael Jayston's representation of Nicholas that I could not watch to the end. Michael Jayston is an actor I greatly respect and like but in this he showed Nicholas to be a humourless and very uptight man. What really irked me was the argument between Nicholas and Alexandra where Nicholas actually blames Alexandra for their son's haemophilia.
Nicholas was a family man first and foremost; descriptions from those who knew him, speak of feeling at ease in his presence, and the warmth of his eyes and his smile. None of that came over in this film - instead he appeared to be permanently on the edge of exploding with temper.
Having said all of that, the costumes, the era, the settings were beautiful.
Most Beautiful Princess
DVD Review: Nicholas and Alexandra
Summary: 5 Stars
A beautifully filmed and concise story which does an excellent job of explaining the reasons behind the Russian Revolution, why Rasputin gained such a prominent place in the lives of the Tsar and Empress, and how Nicholas's inability to see that times and events were changing led to the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. This was a complex story with many elements involved; the film covers these points well. Michael Jayston's resemblance to Nicholas II is almost eerie; Tom Baker is an excellent Rasputin; and Janet Suzman is wonderful as Alexandra, who was a wife and mother above all.
Description of Nicholas and Alexandra
Well-acted chronicle of the last russian czar and his family and the revolution that turned their world upside down. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/27/2008 Starring: Michael Jayston Janet Suzman Run time: 189 minutes Rating: PgDrama DVDs
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