Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)

★ 5.8 1h 31m IMDb

Horror

Rasputin, a crazed and debauched monk wreaks havoc at the local inn one night, chopping off the hand of one of the drinkers. As the bitter locals plan their revenge, the evil Rasputin works his power over the beautiful women who serve at the Tsar's palace. Even the Tsarina herself is seduced by his evil ways and, as his influence begins to dominate government policy, there is only one course of action left... to destroy him before he destroys them all.

Where to Watch

Checking 300+ streaming services for this title. Check back soon.

Rent / Buy

No rental or purchase options available yet.

Cast

Christopher Lee as Grigori Rasputin Died 2015 · Westminster, London, England, UK Christopher Lee (May 5, 1922 – June 7, 2015) was an English actor and musician. Lee initially portrayed villains and became famous for his role as Count Dracula in a string of Hammer Horror films. Oth...

Barbara Shelley as Sonia Died 2021 · London, England, UK From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Barbara Shelley (born 13 February 1932) was an English film and television actress. She was at her busiest in the late 1950s (Blood of the Vampire) and 1960s wh...

Richard Pasco as Dr. Zargo Died 2014 · Barnes - London - England - UK

Francis Matthews as Ivan Died 2014 · Holgate, York, Yorkshire, England, UK

Suzan Farmer as Vanessa Died 2017 · Kent, England From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Suzan Farmer (born 16 June 1942, Kent, England) is an English actress, mainly on television. She first appeared in an episode of the Patrick McGoohan series Dan...

Director Don Sharp

Cast Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Richard Pasco, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Dinsdale Landen, Renée Asherson, Derek Francis, Joss Ackland, Robert Duncan

John Chard 6/10 Mar 28, 2016

I offer him sins worth forgiving!

1966 was a prolific year for Hammer Films, the company would have 6 films released this year, unsurprisingly the quality of such was variable. Rasputin the Mad Monk was filmed back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness, yet even though the BBFC afforded it the "X" certificate, it's somewhat tame and more a historical drama than horror film.

In truth it's Christopher Lee as the title character who keeps this from plunging the depths of stinkerville, and this in spite of sporting a most distracting and ridiculous beard. Plot simply - and fancifully - shows Rasputin as a hard drinking, womanising bully with a penchant for hypnotism, all of which he uses for his nefarious ends.

It's all very colourful, with Lee holding court as male saps and beautiful dames (Barbara Shelley oh my eye!) come and go, which all builds to a furious finale in the Hammer Films tradition. Yet the slow pace, weakness of the story and the overt feeling of watching a rush job, stops this from being anything but a Hammer time waster. 6/10

Wuchak 7/10 Oct 04, 2021

_**Holy man or unholy devil’s child?**_

A mysterious licentious monk named Grigori Rasputin (Christopher Lee) emerges from western Siberia with powers of healing and hypnosis. He worms his way into favor with the imperial family in prerevolutionary Saint Petersburg, in particular Alexandra (Renée Asherson), but his negative influence and debaucheries prompt conservative opponents to action. The cast is rounded out by Barbara Shelley, Richard Pasco and Francis Matthews.

"Rasputin: The Mad Monk” (1966) is a Hammer historical drama/thriller with a bit o’ horror. It’s not a detailed real-life account, but offers the gist of the story in an entertaining manner, which inspires viewers to look up the actual history. Christopher Lee is outstanding as the eponymous character, both commanding and convincing. Meanwhile Shelley is a highlight on the feminine front.

Rasputin was assassinated in late, 1916. It is said that his corruption of the government was responsible for the rising discontent of Russians, leading to the October revolution the next year and downfall of the monarchy.

The movie runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot at Bray Studios, just west of London.

GRADE: B/B-