Rasputin And The Empress

This lavish and controversial historical drama is the only sound film tostar the three Barrymore siblings, John, Ethel, and Lionel. Tracing the fascinating true story of mad monk Rasputin and the part he played inthe dramatic fall of the imperial family of Russia, the plot spans 1913to 1918, the tumultuous final years of the Romanov regime. Usinghypnosis, Rasputin slowly gains control over the royal family. Concernedthat Rasputin will bring about a revolt, Prince Paul tries to discredit,shoot, and finally poison the powerful despot, but only a climacticfight to the death puts an end to Rasputin's reign. The film wasnominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay.