The Russian Revolution happened over 100 years ago, at the tail end of World War I. After centuries of being ruled by a sprawling empire governed by the Romanov family, combined with the devastating economic impact of the First World War, social inequality was at an all-time high, leading to a high rate of dissatisfaction and anger amongst the general populace. The Revolution came to a peak when communist leaderVladimir Leninled a full-scale armed conflict against the Tsar, eventually storming their palace and tearing down the government.
This specific portion of the conflict is commonly known as the Bolshevik Revolution, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. With such a monumental and influential moment in world history, there is certainly no shortage of stories to be told. The topic lends itself quite nicely to cinema, even though the films about it aren’t always the most well-known or famous.These are the best movies about the Russian Revolution, which allow the audience to witness the fall of the last Tsars and the birth of a new nation.
10’Nicholas and Alexandra' (1971)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
Nicholas and Alexandrais a biopic about the last Russian Tsar,Nicholas II, who was forced to step down from the throne in the early months of the Russian Revolution, though he would still be assassinated just one year later by the Bolsheviks. He is the head of the Romanov family, from whom many famous figures emerged. Of course, not only is this a biopic about him, but also his wife,Alexandra Feodorovna.
Nicholas and Alexandra are played byMichael JaystonandJanet Suzman, respectively, as the film details the birth of their first son, their role in World War I, and eventually their downfall.The movie might not be 100% historically accurate, but it really doesn’t miss a beat, making sure its viewer seeshow the Russian Empire crumbled so quickly. Many historical figures make an appearance here, with critics commending the performances of nearly every actor involved. Despite some major flaws, mainly being too jam-packed and bloated, it isa quality insight into two of the most important figures of the early 20th century.
Nicholas and Alexandra
9’The King’s Man' (2021)
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
The King’s Manis a prequel film to theKingsmanmovie franchise, which is about a top-secret British intelligence agency that places an emphasis on class and etiquette. The movie is a sort of tongue-in-cheek parody of other spy films, part comedy and part absurd action film. Despite negative critical reviews, audiences found it perfectly enjoyable, especially since it contained all of the same aspects of the first two, just in a different setting.
Rather than being set in the 21st Century,The King’s Manexplores the origins of the spy agency, beginning in World War I, and eventuallyexploring some aspects of the Russian Revolutionand its role in global politics. The film’s antagonist isGrigori Rasputin(Rhys Ifans), a Russian mystic who became a face synonymous with the political upheaval, even though he never lived to see it.In any case, the Russian Revolution might be a smaller aspect of the film, butas agoofy action flick with a spot for self-awareness, it totally delivers.
The King’s Man
8’Agony' (1981)
Directed by Elem Klimov
DirectorElem Klimovis perhaps better known for hisnightmarish World War II filmCome and See, which is cited by many as being one of the most haunting and visceral depictions of life during wartime ever committed to film. This film has gained Klimov some serious notoriety as a disturbed genius, a personal flair which definitely makes itself apparent in some of his lesser-known films. One such movie isAgony, which, like many other films on this list, isabout the Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin.
Rasputin’s assassination was an event that was one of the first steps in the buildup to the revolution, highlighting the societal unrest and the public’s decreasing approval of the Tsar.
This time, Rasputin is played byAleksei Petrenko,with the movie detailing the mystic’s life in the months leading up to his assassination. It alsodives deep into societal perception of the famed figure, stemming from his rise to power through his friendship with the royal family and his eventual influence over them. His assassination was one of the first steps in the buildup to the revolution, highlighting the societal unrest and the public’s decreasing approval of the Tsar.Agonyexplores the political climate at the time, all with Klimov’s twisted, macabre touch.
7’Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny' (1996)
Directed by Uli Edel
Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destinyis a made-for-television movie by HBO, starring the lateAlan Rickmanin one of his most underrated roles as Grigori Rasputin himself. The movie centers on the final four years of Rasputin’s life as he is hired as a healer by the Romanov family due to their son,Alexei Nikolaevich(Freddie Finlay), coming down with what, at the time, was an unknown illness. As Rasputin arrives in the palace to serve only as a faith-based healer, he eventually grows closer to the family, rising through the ranks and basically using the family as puppets.
Critics felt Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Grigori Rasputin was a cleverly done character study rather than just a role, and highlighted Rickman’s inherent talent for acting.
Alan Rickman was always good at playing the villain, but his Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award-winning portrayal of Rasputin really delves into the level of manipulation that the mystic became notorious for,kickstarting the decline of the family. Critics felt Rickman’s portrayal of him was a cleverly done character study rather than just a role and highlighted his inherent talent for acting. Underrated, yet highly enticing and wonderfully informative,Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destinyis an absolutelyessential film about the Russian Revolution.
6’Anastasia' (1997)
Directed by Don Bluth & Gary Goldman
Anastasiais analternate history filmthat looks, feels, and sounds like a classic Disney animated musical. Yet surprisingly, the mouse house had nothing to do with this one — it was produced and distributed entirely by 20th Century Studios, then 20th Century Fox. The movie opens up during the Russian Revolution, only this time, the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna(Meg Ryan) isn’t assassinated as she was in real life, but survives the fall of the Empire and reemerges ten years later.
Now, Anastasia begins to feel the effects of amnesia and must find out who she is and where she comes from while the sorcerer Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) seeks to destroy her in revenge for her family exiling him. This whimsical, kid-friendly musical might be a bit of a Disney knock-off, but it stillexcels in quality, sporting gorgeous animation and a fun hypotheticalthat still serves as a nostalgic film for many a ’90s kid. Plus, the idea that the Romanoff dynasty fell because Rasputin made a deal with the devil is simply too silly to resist.
5’Doctor Zhivago' (1965)
Directed by David Lean
Doctor Zhivagoisan epic war romancethat follows the events of both the First World War and the subsequent Bolshevik Revolution, and is based on a novel of the same name byBoris Pasternak. The eponymous Doctor Yuri Zhivago is played byOmar Sharifin a two-part film that lasts a whopping 200 minutes. Zhivago himself is a fictional character, and is not only a physician, but also a poet, and a real womanizer, at that.
In spite of being married to another woman, Zhivago falls in love with the wife of a political activist, with their secret affair being made harder due to the economic and societal troubles faced by the Russian populace during the war and revolution. Winning a whopping five Oscars,Doctor Zhivagoisone of the Hollywood greatsthatlets the revolution take front and center stagerather than having it play out in the background.
Doctor Zhivago
4’Reds' (1981)
Directed by Warren Beatty
Redsis afilm about war correspondency and journalism, starringWarren BeattyasJohn Silas Reed, an American journalist who willingly went overseas to view the revolution in the hopes that he could bring some communist ideals home to the United States. Reed was a real person, known for his extensive coverage of the Bolshevik Revolution, as well as his dedication to his craft and beliefs.
In short,this movie isn’t just a political thriller, but also a biopic, focusing on one of the most controversial American figures in history. Reed and his communist beliefs weren’t exactly received well back in his home country, but he was seen as a hero by the Soviet Union. No matter how one feels about him, one cannot deny the extent to which he goes in order to get his story, and the sacrifices he made to bring news home.It’s a film aboutone man’s passionate crusadethat allows the viewer to draw their conclusions as to whether he was a hero or was pursuing a fool’s errand.
3’Anastasia' (1956)
Directed by Anatole Litvak
The 1956 version ofAnastasiahas absolutely nothing to do with the 1997 film. This Technicolor masterpiece is not an animated musical at all, but a live-action drama film, though there are still some shared themes between them. In this flick, the revolution has long passed, with rumors persisting that the Grand Duchess may have survived. In Paris, a woman named Anna Koreff (Ingrid Bergman) is spotted by a former Russian royalist leader, who believes her to be the Grand Duchess herself. He begins to coach Anna to pretend to be Anastasia, regardless of whether she really is or not, but she’s strangely good at it to the point where even her biggest doubters start to believe her.
The iconic Ingrid Bergmanwon her second Oscar for her stellar performance in this film, which marked a surprising comeback for her after seven years of being off the radar following her scandalous affair with Italian directorRoberto Rossellini. Aside from that, the movie received excellent reviews both domestically and internationally. Even if the Russian Revolution is only a small part of the film,its influence is still the driving forcebehind the entire plot.
2’Ninotchka' (1939)
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Ninotchkais an American rom-com set at the end of the Revolution, as tensions begin to simmer down and the royal family’s seized assets are being relocated. Three Russian agents from Moscow have arrived in Paris to supervise the sale of the Romanov family’s various jewels and gemstones, which are to be sold to wealthy buyers. One of these agents,nicknamed “Ninotchka” (Greta Garbo), is outwardly stern and callous, especially when she meets the French Count Léon (Melvyn Douglas).
Ninotchka despises the Count at first, mainly because he is so far removed from her idea of the perfect man, but as the trade goes on and she and the Count repeatedly bump into each other, they eventually find themselves falling for each other. Though the Revolution is only really a background piece to this film,Ninotchkaexplores the impact the war had on the rest of the world, with former Russian nobles appearing in various low-paying occupations, reduced to shadows of their former greatness through the violent upheaval. Even in France, the impact of the Revolution is felt, so it’s a great film to reallyunderstand how huge a part the conflict played in global geopolitics.
1’The Last Command' (1928)
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
The Last Commandis a 1928 silent film that starsEmil Janningsas the fictional Grand Duke Sergius Alexander. Many might not know about this nearly 100-year-old romantic drama film, but it actuallyholds a monumental place in the history of cinema. For one, Jannings was the first person to ever win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Lead Role, for both this film and another that came out the same year. The movie was also placed in the National Film Registry for movies that are considered culturally or historically significant.
In short, this movie might be somewhat unheard of, but it’s super important and is a must-watch for any cinephile. Story-wise, it’s about Sergius Alexander, a Russian noble who survived the revolution and ends up playing an extra in a film made by a revolutionary, who would surely kill him if he found out. The filmflashes back to the revolution, but also explores its aftermath. Even if it’s a fictional story and is a silent film, that doesn’t changeits inherent quality or its historical importance.
