IVAN THE TERRIBLEIVAN THE TERRIBLE

Sources of inspiration Sources of inspiration AnalysisAnalysis

Eisenstein and Socialist RealismEisenstein and Socialist Realism

Patriotic theme of great leader: Alexander Nevsky, Patriotic theme of great leader: Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great... Sun image: Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great... Sun image: “L’état c’est moi.” Socialist-realist leader, "positive “L’état c’est moi.” Socialist-realist leader, "positive hero" who unites Russia, crushes hero" who unites Russia, crushes kramolakramola (dissent). (dissent).

Transparent references to contemporary issues in Transparent references to contemporary issues in Russia:Russia:

repelling invaders (war with 3rd Reich); repelling invaders (war with 3rd Reich); Ivan's war with the boyars compares to Stalin's Ivan's war with the boyars compares to Stalin's

suppression of rivals (Trotsky and co.); suppression of rivals (Trotsky and co.); alliance with England - trading with Russia through alliance with England - trading with Russia through

the White Sea (convoys bringing war materiel to the White Sea (convoys bringing war materiel to USSR).USSR).

Eisenstein’s drawing of IvanEisenstein’s drawing of Ivan(“Le Roi Soleil,” “Sun King”)(“Le Roi Soleil,” “Sun King”)

Eisenstein's new post 1935 style Eisenstein's new post 1935 style in in Ivan IIvan I

Visually and thematically Eisenstein draws on Visually and thematically Eisenstein draws on traditions in Russian art and history: traditions in Russian art and history:

literature;literature; opera; opera; music; music; visual arts;visual arts; Orthodox religion.Orthodox religion.

Literature: Aleksandr PushkinLiterature: Aleksandr Pushkin

Details borrowed from Details borrowed from Pushkin’s historical play Pushkin’s historical play Boris Godunov (1825)Boris Godunov (1825)::

Holy Fool, Nikolka the Holy Fool, Nikolka the Iron Cap;Iron Cap;

satirical portraits of Poles satirical portraits of Poles and other foreigners.and other foreigners.

Text mimicks old Russian Text mimicks old Russian speech, like Pushkin's.speech, like Pushkin's.

Opera: MusorgskyOpera: Musorgsky

Modest Musorgsky’s Modest Musorgsky’s opera opera Boris Godunov Boris Godunov (1868-1873)(1868-1873) inspired inspired sets and costumes.sets and costumes.

Musorgsky’s music Musorgsky’s music paved the way for the paved the way for the Russian tradition in Russian tradition in music. music.

Eisenstein produced Eisenstein produced Wagner’s Valkyrie at Wagner’s Valkyrie at the Bolshoi (1940).the Bolshoi (1940).

Visual presentation: influencesVisual presentation: influences

Russian icons (static, “frozen” images)Russian icons (static, “frozen” images)

Russian nineteenth-century historical Russian nineteenth-century historical painterspainters

Icon of Ivan the TerribleIcon of Ivan the Terribleand drawing by Eisensteinand drawing by Eisenstein

VasilyVasily SurikovSurikovMorning of the Execution of the Morning of the Execution of the

StreltsyStreltsy

Ilya RepinIlya RepinIvan the Terrible and his son IvanIvan the Terrible and his son Ivan

Ilya VasnetsovIlya VasnetsovBerendei PalaceBerendei Palace

Commedia dell’arteCommedia dell’arte

Influence of Meyerhold Influence of Meyerhold still apparent:still apparent:

Circus and masks, Circus and masks, grotesque;grotesque;

typagetypage of the people at of the people at court;court;

exaggerated acting, exaggerated acting, poses.poses.Question: is this just a Question: is this just a silent film with musical silent film with musical accompaniment?accompaniment?

Typical visual effectsTypical visual effects

Dramatic lighting. Dramatic lighting.

Unlike Unlike Alexander NevskyAlexander Nevsky with broad horizons, with broad horizons, IvanIvan has dark tunnels of Kremlin intrigue. has dark tunnels of Kremlin intrigue.

Low ceilings, head often at bottom of screen.Low ceilings, head often at bottom of screen.

Even battle of Kazan is won through digging Even battle of Kazan is won through digging tunnels.tunnels.

German expressionismGerman expressionism (shadows; suspense based on growing shadows; (shadows; suspense based on growing shadows;

elongated, distorted figures) (Left Ivan, right, F.W. elongated, distorted figures) (Left Ivan, right, F.W. Murnau’s Murnau’s NosferatuNosferatu))

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

The eyes…The eyes…

Expression of eyes - a throwback to Expression of eyes - a throwback to Mozzhukhin’s remark on the importance of Mozzhukhin’s remark on the importance of the eyes in acting.the eyes in acting.

Malyuta - the eyes of the tsar.Malyuta - the eyes of the tsar.

Huge icon of the searching eyes of Huge icon of the searching eyes of conscience.conscience.

MaliutaMaliuta

Some themes and patternsSome themes and patterns

Gender inversions: StaritskaiaGender inversions: Staritskaia

……Fyodor BasmanovFyodor Basmanov

Prince Kurbski, “the negative of Prince Kurbski, “the negative of Ivan”Ivan”

Inversions: Ivan as tsarInversions: Ivan as tsar

Vladimir as “tsar”Vladimir as “tsar”