Rasputin: The Mad Monk

Rasputin: The Mad Monk

Year: 1966

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Sharp

HorrorPolitics and human rightsCreepy chilling and terrifying horrorShow All…

Rasputin, a depraved monk, terrorizes an inn, cutting off a drinker's hand. Villagers plot revenge while he manipulates the women serving at the Tsar's palace, even seducing the Tsarina. As his power begins to dominate government policy, the people are forced to unite in a desperate effort to destroy him before his darkness consumes them all.

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Timeline & Setting – Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 20th century

Set during late Imperial Russia, the film follows Rasputin as he moves from rural healing to widespread political influence. The timeline traces the lead-up to the Tsarina’s inner circle and the royal household, escalating toward a dramatic confrontation. The period is marked by court intrigue, religious authority, and rising political tensions.

Location

Russian countryside, Saint Petersburg

The story stretches from the rustic inns and monasteries of the Russian countryside to the opulent royal court in Saint Petersburg. The countryside locations emphasize Rasputin's humble beginnings and his early influence among common folk. The contrast with the imperial capital highlights the widening gap between peasant origins and courtly power.

🌄 Rural Russia 🏛️ Imperial court 🕍 Monastery settings

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Main Characters – Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)

Meet the key characters of Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Grigori Rasputin (Christopher Lee)

A charismatic monk who uses claimed healing powers to influence the innkeeper’s wife and his daughter, then ascends into the royal court. He treats others as means to an end and violates moral boundaries to expand his control. His ruthlessness becomes evident as he manipulates the Tsarina and defies church authority, until his eventual fall orchestrated by rivals.

❄️ Charismatic 🔥 Manipulative 🩸 Ruthless

Sonia (Barbara Shelley)

A courtly companion whose proximity to the Tsarina is engineered by Rasputin. Used as a instrument of Rasputin’s desires and to gain access to the royal circle, she is placed under trance to assist his schemes. After Rasputin discards her, she becomes a casualty in the larger power play, ending in tragedy.

❄️ Manipulated 💋 Seductive 🗡️ Tragic

Dr. Zargo (Richard Pasco)

A controversial physician who has been sidelined from official practice and is recruited to replace the Tsarina’s doctor. He collaborates in Rasputin’s plots and participates in a dangerous scheme involving poison and power. His actions contribute to the collapsing of Rasputin’s hold on the court.

❄️ Scheming 🧪 Medical 🗡️ Paranoid

Peter (Dinsdale Landen)

Sonia’s brother who spirals into rage over Rasputin’s manipulation and the death of his sister. He seeks to topple the monk, enlisting others to his cause, and becomes entangled in the violent consequences of the conspiracy.

❄️ Vengeful ⚔️ Conspiratorial 🩸 Tragic

Ivan (Francis Matthews)

Vanessa’s brother who crafts a ruse to entrap Rasputin, exploiting the monk’s vanity and desire. He orchestrates a confrontation that leads to Rasputin’s downfall, joining forces with others to shift the balance of power.

❄️ Cunning 🧭 Strategic 🗡️ Calculated

Vanessa (Suzan Farmer)

A beautiful handmaiden of the Tsarina who draws Rasputin’s attention. Her presence fuels the monk’s seduction and manipulation, contributing to the court’s moral decay and the ensuing power struggle.

❄️ Temptation 💋 Desirable 🪄 Manipulated

Innkeeper (Derek Francis)

Owner of the inn where Rasputin first establishes his influence, healing the innkeeper’s wife and seducing his daughter. His establishment becomes a focal point for Rasputin’s early power and the moral tensions of the countryside.

❄️ Grounded 🏚️ Middle-class 🪵 Rustic

Tsarina (Renée Asherson)

The empress-like figure who becomes captivated by Rasputin’s supposed healing abilities and charisma. Her trust in Rasputin enables his manipulation of court appointments and medical decisions, deepening the factional splits at court.

❄️ Trusted 👑 Royal 🧠 Manipulable

The Bishop (Joss Ackland)

An Orthodox church figure who confronts Rasputin about his immorality and violence. He represents official religious authority and resists Rasputin’s influence, though his authority is challenged by the monk’s growing power.

❄️ Authority 🕊️ Religious ⚖️ Contested

The Abbot (John Welsh)

A church figure who interacts with Rasputin within the monastic and religious sphere. He reflects the institutional response to Rasputin’s behavior and the tensions between spiritual authority and secular power.

❄️ Monastic 🕍 Authority 🚪 Gatekeeping

Tsarvitch (Robert Duncan)

The Tsar’s heir, the young prince whose existence prompts Rasputin’s calculated moves. The drama around the heir maginifies the stakes of the power struggle at court and the potential for instability.

❄️ Heir 👑 Royalty 🛡️ Precarious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

Major Themes – Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966)

Explore the central themes of Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏛️ Power and Control

Rasputin leverages his perceived healing powers to gain access to the Tsarina and to install allies within the court. The film portrays how one man’s ambitions bend political decisions and social norms. It explores the ethical costs of wielding power without accountability.

🎭 Manipulation & Seduction

Sonia becomes a tool in Rasputin’s ascent, used to reach the Tsarina and satisfy the monk’s desires. His charisma and hypnotic influence turn intimate encounters into leverage within the royal household. The narrative shows how manipulation can undermine loyalties and drive dangerous schemes.

🔪 Violence and Consequences

The plot escalates through violent acts, murders, and attempts on Rasputin’s life, exposing the deadly costs of power struggles. Rivalries culminate in physical confrontations and fatal outcomes for several characters. The film emphasizes how unchecked ambition can lead to brutal endings.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:21

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Rasputin: The Mad Monk Summary

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Rasputin: The Mad Monk Timeline

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