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• IVAN A GREAT MOVIE

  • VINCENT ABATO
  • 11/15/11

  As a medieval Russsian Historian I can say that the historical content of parts I & II are spot on. The undercurrent of Stalin's propaganda is insidious. He's preparing the Russians for an attack from the West (Poland) & the East (the Mongols). He used the same tactic in Alexander Nevsky. However, whatever his twisted reasons for those movies, the basic historical accuracy of the movie is correct. Notice the low doorways in the Kremlin to keep horsemen & crowds from rushing into a room. I have the date of part I as 1944 which made it a propaganda film, part 2 was made after WWII. The score by Prokofiev is also so evokative of Russia. The manner in which the people bow with their right hand touching the ground showing respect & no threat to the ruler. Ivan's grand-mother was Zoe Palaeologus, niece of the last Byzantine Emperor, which gave Ivan the right to claim the title Tsar. Besides all the "bad press" he received, Ivan was the 1st one to beat back the Mongols who threatened Russia & the rest of Europe. He began the process of overthrowing the "Mongol Yoke". A must see, literally, since it has sub-titles.

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