Ivan the Terrible (1945 film)

Ivan the Terrible
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Sergei Eisenstein
Written by	Sergei Eisenstein
Produced by	Sergei Eisenstein
Starring	Nikolay Cherkasov Lyudmila Tselikovskaya Serafima Birman
Cinematography	Andrei Moskvin Eduard Tisse
Edited by	Sergei Eisenstein Esfir Tobak [ru] (assistant)[1][2] Lev Indenbom [ru] (assistant)[2]
Music by	Sergei Prokofiev
Release dates	January 1945 (1945-01) (Part 1) 1 September 1958 (1958-09-01) (Part 2)
Running time	177 minutes Part 1: 95 minutes Part 2: 82 minutes
Country	Soviet Union
Language	Russian

Ivan the Terrible (Russian: Иван Грозный, romanized: Ivan Grozny) is a two-part Soviet epic historical drama film written and directed by Sergei Eisenstein, with music composed by Sergei Prokofiev. The biopic stars Nikolay Cherkasov as Ivan IV of Russia, and was Eisenstein's final film. The film follows Ivan IV from his childhood to his older years as tsar, and details his formation of the oprichnina and conflict with the boyars, particularly with his aunt (Serafima Birman) and cousin (Pavel Kadochnikov). Lyudmila Tselikovskaya plays a supporting role as Ivan's wife Anastasia, with members of the oprichnina being played by Mikhail Zharov, Amvrosy Buchma, and Mikhail Kuznetsov.

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin commissioned the film in early 1941, although production did not start until April 1943. The majority of the film was shot in Alma-Ata, with part of the film being shot in Moscow. Part I was released in 1945, and received a Stalin Prize. Part II, although it finished production in 1946, was banned and not released until 1958. Eisenstein had planned three parts for the film, but with the banning of Part II, filming of Part III was stopped. Eisenstein died in 1948, leaving the film incomplete.

The film has a mixed legacy, being both harshly criticized and highly praised. Since its release, it has been named in several lists of the best films of all time, and has often been called one of Eisenstein's most complex films.