1967 marked the golden jubilee (50th anniversary) of the Bolshevik (now called the communist) Revolution. In December 1971, the motion picture 'Nicholas And Alexandra' premiered on the big screen. Jack Valenti believed, "It's still possible to take history or legend or life and tell a great story. The British have demonstrated that on American television recently with the 6 wives of 'Henry VIII' and 'The Forsythe Saga'. Sam Spiegel has a picture coming out for Columbia called 'Nicholas And Alexandra'. If I were to make a prediction, I would say this picture might introduce a whole new trend in putting on film exciting, dramatic scenes of history, which in the retelling become very contemporary."
Nicholas Romanov II ascended the throne in 1894. He was Imperial Russia's - an autocracy - last Tsar. Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria. It was her relationship with the "Mad Monk" from Siberia, Grigori Yefimovich Novikh (aka "Rasputin" meaning low-down scoundrel) that brought about the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Rasputin was introduced to the family by Grand Duke Nicholas just before the outbreak of World War I in August 1914. Alexandra was said grateful Rasputin had cured her sick son Alexis with his alleged supernatural powers. St. Ivan the Ugly was heard describing Alexandra as the "German She-Devil". Rasputin reportedly compared her with Catherine the Great. Rasputin's notoriety came to an end in December 1916 when he was executed at the palace of Prince Felix Yusupov. In 1932, the motion picture 'Rasputin And The Empress' premiered. Observers contributed Rasputin's Machiavellian behavior to the Russian Revolution that took place in March (present calendar) 1917 and which saw the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and his eventual execution in July 1918. Also executed was Rasputin's successor, Alexander Protopov - another Machiavellian. The March Revolution forced the Duma (parliament) to set up a provisional government in Russia led by Alexander Kerensky. His government was short-lived. Another revolution led by Vladimir Lenin took place in October (old calendar) 1917 ended Alexander Kerensky's reign. Vladimir Lenin successfully convinced the Germans to end the war with the signing of a peace treaty in March 1918.
Jack hailed the 1970s as "the era control by creative men". However, "one of the things that (in many cases) an audience senses that even a creative man overlooks is the dramatic impact of a film. I mean the sense of conflict, suspense, building up of plot, holding our interest, which is the ancient way of telling a story, which has captivated people since the dawn of time. (Fyodor) Dostoevsky was the greatest writer of passion and terror. I don't recall a single page where he describes anything but you feel it because he lets your imagination become your guide."
Nicholas Romanov II ascended the throne in 1894. He was Imperial Russia's - an autocracy - last Tsar. Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria. It was her relationship with the "Mad Monk" from Siberia, Grigori Yefimovich Novikh (aka "Rasputin" meaning low-down scoundrel) that brought about the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Rasputin was introduced to the family by Grand Duke Nicholas just before the outbreak of World War I in August 1914. Alexandra was said grateful Rasputin had cured her sick son Alexis with his alleged supernatural powers. St. Ivan the Ugly was heard describing Alexandra as the "German She-Devil". Rasputin reportedly compared her with Catherine the Great. Rasputin's notoriety came to an end in December 1916 when he was executed at the palace of Prince Felix Yusupov. In 1932, the motion picture 'Rasputin And The Empress' premiered. Observers contributed Rasputin's Machiavellian behavior to the Russian Revolution that took place in March (present calendar) 1917 and which saw the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and his eventual execution in July 1918. Also executed was Rasputin's successor, Alexander Protopov - another Machiavellian. The March Revolution forced the Duma (parliament) to set up a provisional government in Russia led by Alexander Kerensky. His government was short-lived. Another revolution led by Vladimir Lenin took place in October (old calendar) 1917 ended Alexander Kerensky's reign. Vladimir Lenin successfully convinced the Germans to end the war with the signing of a peace treaty in March 1918.
Jack hailed the 1970s as "the era control by creative men". However, "one of the things that (in many cases) an audience senses that even a creative man overlooks is the dramatic impact of a film. I mean the sense of conflict, suspense, building up of plot, holding our interest, which is the ancient way of telling a story, which has captivated people since the dawn of time. (Fyodor) Dostoevsky was the greatest writer of passion and terror. I don't recall a single page where he describes anything but you feel it because he lets your imagination become your guide."
