Ivan the Terrible (1945 film)

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. A biopic starring Nikolay Cherkasov as Ivan IV of Russia, the film chronicles his reign 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. Ivan the Terrible was Eisenstein's final film.

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin commissioned the film in early 1941, however, production was delayed by the beginning of World War II, and did not start until April 1943. The majority of the film was shot in Alma-Ata; several scenes in color were shot in Moscow. Part I was publicly released in 1945, and met with success, receiving a Stalin Prize. Part II, although it was completed 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 had a polarized reception, 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 greatest and most complex films. The visuals of the film and Prokofiev's score have received praise; reception of other aspects of the film, such as the acting and the plot, is mixed. Opinions on its treatment of Stalinism is divided - the figure of Ivan IV in the film is widely regarded to be an allegory of Stalin; thus, the film has varyingly been interpreted as a critique of Stalinism and condemned as a glorification of Ivan IV, and by extension, of Stalin himself.