Nicholas and Alexandra
original movie poster
Directed by	Franklin J. Schaffner
Written by	James Goldman (screenplay) Robert K. Massie (book)
Starring	Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman
IMDb profile

Nicholas and Alexandra, ... is a 1971 biographical film which tells the story of the last of Russia's monarchs, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (498x755, 72 KB)original movie poster source:http://www. ... Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920 - July 2, 1989) was an American film director. ... James Goldman (June 30, 1929 - October 28, 1998) was an American playwright, and screenwriter, and brother of William Goldman. ... A screenplay or script is a blueprint for producing a motion picture. ... Robert K Massie An American historian. ... Michael Jayston (born 29th October, 1935 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire) is a British actor. ... Janet Suzman (born February 9, 1939) is a South African actress. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Nicholas II of Russia (May 18, 1868–July 17, 1918)[1] (Russian: , Nikolay II) was the last Emperor of Russia, King of Poland,[2] and Grand Duke of Finland. ... Alexandra and her daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia, and Maria, 1913 Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine (German: ) or Saint Alexandra, 6 June 1872 – 17 July 1918, under the title Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna (Russian: ), was Empress consort of the Russian Empire and the wife of Nicholas II of Russia, the...

It stars Michael Jayston (Nicholas II), Janet Suzman (Empress Alexandra), Roderic Noble (Alexei), Ania Marson (Olga), Lynne Frederick (Tatiana), Candace Glendenning (Maria), Fiona Fullerton (Anastasia), Harry Andrews (Grand Duke Nicholas), Irene Worth (The Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Tom Baker (Rasputin), Jack Hawkins (Count Fredericks) and Timothy West (Dr. Botkin). Michael Jayston (born 29th October, 1935 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire) is a British actor. ... Janet Suzman (born February 9, 1939) is a South African actress. ... Tsarevich Alexei (1904-1918) Tsesarevich (Tsarevich) Alexei Nikolaevich of Russia (In Russian Царевич Алексей Николаевич) (August 12, 1904 - July 17, 1918), of the House of Russia and was the... Grand Duchess Olga of Russia could be: Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia (November 15, 1895 - July 17, 1918) Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia (June 13, 1882 - November 24, 1960) Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna of Russia (September 3, 1851 - June 18, 1926). ... Lynne Frederick (July 25, 1954 – April 27, 1994) was a British actress. ... Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna (1897-1918) Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia (Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanova) (In Russian Великая Княжна Татьяна Николаевна) (June 10, 1897 - July 17, 1918) was the second daughter of Nicholas II of Russia and Alexandra of Hesse. ... Candace Glendenning (born 9 August 1953 in London, England) is an actress. ... Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna (1899-1918) Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia (Maria Nikolaevna Romanova) (In Russian Великая Княжна Мария Николаевна), also known as Marie or... Fiona Fullerton in A View to a Kill. Fiona Fullerton (born 10 October 1956 in Kaduna, Nigeria) is a British actress. ... Russian: Великая Княжна Анастасия Николаевна ) (June 18, 1901 - July 17, 1918) was the youngest daughter of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia and... Harry Andrews (November 10, 1911 - March 6, 1989) was a British actor. ... Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich. ... Irene Worth on her recital disc Her Infinite Variety Irene Worth, Honorary CBE, (born Harriet Elizabeth Abrams June 23, 1916 in Fairbury, Nebraska - died March 9, 2002 in New York) was a distinguished stage and screen actress who became one of the leading stars of the English and American theatre. ... Maria Feodorovna, born Princess Dagmar of Denmark (November 26, 1847–October 13, 1928) was Empress Consort of Russia. ... Thomas Stewart Baker (born January 20, 1934) is an English actor. ... Grigori Rasputin Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (or Grigori Yefimovich Novyh) (Russian: )(January 22, 1869 [O.S. January 10]–December 29, 1916 [O.S. December 16]) was a Russian mystic who held an influence in the later days of Russias Romanov dynasty. ... John Edward Jack Hawkins (September 14, 1910 - July 18, 1973) was a British film actor of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Timothy West CBE (born October 20, 1934) is a British film, stage and television actor. ...

The movie was adapted by James Goldman from the book by Robert K. Massie. It was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. James Goldman (June 30, 1929 - October 28, 1998) was an American playwright, and screenwriter, and brother of William Goldman. ... Nicholas and Alexandra: An Intimate Account of the Last of the Romanovs and the Fall of Imperial Russia is a 1967 biography of the last royal family of Russia by historian Robert K. Massie. ... Robert K Massie An American historian. ... Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920 - July 2, 1989) was an American film director. ...

It won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design, and was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Janet Suzman), Best Cinematography, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score and Best Picture. The references in this article would be clearer with a different and/or consistent style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ... The Academy Awards are the oldest awards ceremony for achievements in motion pictures. ... This Academy Award was first given for movies made in 1948 when separate awards were given for black-and-white and color movies. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is awarded each year to a cinematographer for his work in one particular motion picture. ... From Rule Sixteen of the Special Rules for The Music Awards Original Score: An original score is a substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer. ... // The Academy Award for Best Motion Picture is one of the Academy Awards, awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which are voted on by others within the industry. ...

Summary

The story begins with the birth of the Tsarevich Alexei in the opulent surroundings of the Imperial Court. The Russo-Japanese War is on, and Tsar Nicholas' advisors warn him that this war is futile and costing too many lives. They also tell him that the Russian people want a representative government, health care and voting and workers' rights, but Nicholas wants to keep the traditional autocracy left to him by his fathers. Meanwhile, underground political parties led by Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky have formed. Tsarevich Alexei (1904-1918) Tsesarevich Alexei Nikolaevich (Russian: ) (July 30 (OS)/August 12 (NS), 1904 – July 17, 1918), of the House of Romanov, was Tsesarevich of Russia and was the youngest child of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and Alexandra Fyodorovna. ... Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ( Russian: Влади́мир Ильи́ч Ле́нин  listen?), original surname Ulyanov (Улья́нов) ( April 22 (April 10 ( O.S.)), 1870 – January 21, 1924), was a... Iosif (usually anglicized as Joseph) Vissarionovich Stalin (Russian: Иосиф Виссарионович Сталин), original name Ioseb Jughashvili (Georgian: იოსებ ჯუღაშვი&#4314... 1915 passport photo of Trotsky Leon Davidovich Trotsky (Russian: Лев Давидович Троцкий; also transliterated Trotskii, Trotski, Trotzky) (October 26 (O.S.) = November 7 (N.S.), 1879 - August 21, 1940), born Lev Davidovich Bronstein (&#1051...

Alexei is soon diagnosed with hemophilia. The Tsaritsa is frantic. A shy German who is not highly thought of by the Russian royal court, she is somewhat isolated, but is befriended by Grigori Rasputin, a Siberian peasant who describes himself as a religious pilgrim or holy man, and who's become popular with some people at court. Later she calls upon him to help her pray for Alexei, and comes to believe in his healing abilities. Haemophilia or hemophilia is the name of any of several hereditary genetic illnesses that impair the bodys ability to control bleeding. ... Grigori Rasputin Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (or Grigori Yefimovich Novyh) (Russian: )(January 22, 1869 [O.S. January 10]–December 29, 1916 [O.S. December 16]) was a Russian mystic who held an influence in the later days of Russias Romanov dynasty. ...

In a textile mill, working under ghastly conditions, the people are encouraged by their priest, Father George Gapon. He leads them, joined by many other peasant workers, in a clearly peaceful procession to the Winter Palace, intending to present a petition to the Tsar. Hundreds of soldiers stand ready in front of the palace; their commanding officer tells them to shoot up in the air, but he falls from his horse, there is a panic, and the soldiers proceed to fire randomly into the crowd. Nicholas is horrified when he hears of the massacre, but insists he wouldn't have granted the people's requests. Father Gapon Georgi Apollonovich Gapon (Russian: ; 1870 – April 10, 1906) was a Russian Orthodox priest and a popular working class leader before Russian Revolution of 1905. ... Located between the Palace Embankment and the Palace Square, the Winter Palace (Russian: Зимний Дворец) in Saint Petersburg, Russia was built between 1754 and 1762 as the winter residence of the Russian tsars. ...

Eight years later, on the 300th anniversary of Romanov rule, the family vacationing in the Crimea. Alexei is a very lively little boy who is constantly prevented from leading a normal life. Nicholas gets police reports about Rasputin's dissolute behavior, and dismisses him from the court. Alexandra demands his return. She knows Alexei's hemophilia was inherited from her, and is wracked with guilt. She is obsessed with the thought that Rasputin can stop the bleeding attacks when they occur. Image File history File links RodericNoble291. ...

Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin has granted some of the people's requests in order to preserve the Empire, but he is shot at an opera performance in Kiev. Nicholas retaliates not only by executing the killer, but by closing the Duma and allowing police to terrorize the peasants and burn their homes. Pyotr Stolypin Pyotr Arkadyevich Stolypin (Russian: Пётр Арка́дьевич Столы́пин) (April 14 (April 2 Old Style) 1862 - September 18 (September 5 Old Style) 1911) served as Nicholas IIs Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) from 1906 to 1911. ... Location Map of Ukraine with Kiev highlighted. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ...

Alexei has a minor fall, which leads to the worst attack yet. It is presumed that he will die. The Tsaritsa writes a letter to Rasputin, who soon responds with words of comfort and confidence. Sure enough, the Tsarevich recovers, and Rasputin is allowed to return.

World War I begins with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, and soon thereafter Germany declares war on Russia. Nicholas decides to command the troops himself and leaves for the front, taking over from his much more experienced cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas. This leaves Alexandra in charge at home. Under Rasputin's influence and her own conservative inclinations, she makes unwise decisions. Very few people have been told about Alexei's illness or how Rasputin appears to help him, so it looks like the Tsaritsa is losing her mind, or perhaps having an affair with Rasputin. On a sort of drunken whim, two decadent young princes invite Rasputin to an opium party and kill him in December, 1916. Combatants Allied Powers: British Empire France Italy Russia United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Commanders Ferdinand Foch Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Herbert Henry Asquith Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Paul... There have been several men titled Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, including: Archduke Ferdinand Karl Anton Joseph Johann Stanislaus of Austria-Este (1754-1806), fourth son and fourteenth child of Franz I and Maria Theresa, became heir to the Duchies of Modena and Reggio through his marriage to the Este heiress... Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich Grand Duke Nikolai (Nicholas) Nikolayevich Romanov (Russian: Николай Николаевич Романов (младший - the younger)) (6 November 1856 - 5 January 1929) was a Russian general in World War I. A grandson of Nicholas I of Russia, he was commander in chief of the Russian armies on the main...

Deprived of her one trusted advisor, Alexandra becomes unable to cope. Workers go on strike everywhere. The army is ill supplied. Starving and freezing, they mutiny, and St. Petersburg is overrun with them. Nicholas is forced to abdicate, not only for himself but for Alexei, who is furious when he hears this, and becomes withdrawn, believing that the family will soon perish.

They are brought to Siberia in mid-1917, where they live under peasant conditions with rough but decent guards. In late 1917, Russia falls into the hands of the Bolshevik party, the one revolutionary group that nobody took seriously. The family are transferred to Yekaterinburg, under even harsher conditions. In a final tragic scene, the family are shown reading letters from friends, relatives and teachers. Only Alexei remains sober and aloof, sensing what is about to happen. Told they're to be sent to another city, the family pack their things and wait in the cellar. Their keeper and his assistants enter the room and, without a word, shoots them all. Siberian Federal District (darker red) and the broadest definition of Siberia (red) Udachnaya pipe Siberia (Russian: , Sibir; Tatar: ) is a vast region of Russia constituting almost all of Northern Asia. ... Bolsheviks (Russian: IPA , derived from bolshinstvo, majority) were members of the Bolshevik faction of the Marxist Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) which split apart from the Menshevik faction[1] at the Second Party Congress in 1903 and ultimately became the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. ... Snow-covered statue of Sverdlov in Yekaterinburg Yekaterinburgs Church on the Blood built on the spot where the Tsar and his family were executed. ...

Trivia

• The film takes liberties with known historical details. According to Gapon's diary, the Winter Palace scene is not consistent with what really happened on Bloody Sunday (1905). The murder of Rasputin is portrayed as having been committed on a drunken whim, rather than the deadly serious (although badly planned) business it really was according to the participants.

• This was both Tom Baker and Brian Cox's first film.

Demonstrators march to the Winter Palace Bloody Sunday (Russian: ) was an incident on 22 January 1905 [O.S. 9 January]in St. ... Thomas Stewart Baker (born January 20, 1934) is an English actor. ... Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor from Michael Manns Manhunter. ...

External links

• Nicholas and Alexandra at the Internet Movie Database