Customer Reviews
Hammer horror - By: S J Buck, 01 Aug 2008 
Whilst this isn't a classic a Hammer film by any means, it does make for strangely compelling viewing. The film was obviously made on a very smalll budget, & I suspect it was filmed soon after Dracula: Prince of Darkness as the cast is very similiar & some of the same sets look the same.
Rasputin is a drinker & womaniser who has healing powers. Using these he becomes the trusted Doctor to the Zsars wife. However his motives are suspect.. Christopher Lee plays the title role (based on a real historical person & in part true) & is the best & worst thing about the film. Without Lee's screen presence this simply wouldn't have worked. However in places I found his performance a little over the top (dare I say even a little hammy).
This is available as part of "The Hammer Collection" boxed set of 21 films. If you're a fan of Hammer films it would make sense to buy it in that set if you can get it at the right price. Having seen the film once or twice before I bougght the DVD I knew what to expect from this. Overalll it is an entertaining film but I don't think it will hold up to repeated viewings.
Ok, but nothing special - By: LXIX, 17 Mar 2008 'Rasputin, The Mad Monk' is a Hammer production & it's watchable. Just that, watchable. It's certainly nothing special. Christopher Lee plays the lead role & accentuates the obnoxious nature of Rasputin.
This film is rather short & so it's difficult to provide a comprehensive & insightful production of this infamous character in such a short movie. So, this film is therefore more of an abbreviated tale & a short burst.
There's a few familiar faces here from the Hammer team & it does have some characteristic Hammer elements (twilight, stagecoaches, good costumes etc).
Overalll, if you like British horror flicks, Hammer films, or you have a general interest in Rasputin, then you might find it an amusing 88 or so minutes.
Not one of Hammer's Best - By: E. A. Redfearn, 30 Dec 2004 Made back to back with Dracula Prince of Darkness, using the same sets, & most of the same actors, it was made on the cheap, & looks it too. Historicallly, its a duff. Entertainment wise, its not bad. The story covers the emergence of Rasputin into Romanov society before the Russian Revolution. The script is rather weak, but the fine actors do carry it though. Christopher Lee made a great effort in his role as Rasputin. Francis Matthews; Dinsdale Landen & Richard Pasco play the conspirators who finallly kill Rasputin believing his influence on the Tsarina could lead to the downfalll of the Romanovs which of course does happen in 1917. In supporting roles are two lovely Hammer actresses Barbara Shelley & Suzan Farmer who were also in Dracula Prince of Darkness. Overalll, its not a bad effort. It has enough material to while away an evening, but dont expect any shocks though. Picture & sound arent too bad on DVD. However, as far as extras are concerned, there are none whatsoever. Still, its cheap enough to buy, & maybe if you are a die hard Hammer fan, am sure you will add this to your collection.
