Possible spoilers
The problem with this movie is acting, most of all Mr. Cherkasov. There is something wrong with his abilities when all you can remember from the performance are those bulging eyes and strange beard. His wife dies - bulging eyes, he captures Kazan - bulging eyes, he learns about the plot against him - bulging eyes. The rest of the crew does better, but still (as in all Eisenstein's movies) not great.
Eisenstein proves that he was a movie wizard, some of the shots are amazing, the way he uses shades is something exceptional. But I couldn't get rid of a feeling that 'Ivan the Terrible' is ten years behind western masterpieces of that period: 'Citizen Kane', 'Henry V', 'Notorious' not to mention colours in 'Gone with the Wind'.
7/10 (looking forward to the second part)
The problem with this movie is acting, most of all Mr. Cherkasov. There is something wrong with his abilities when all you can remember from the performance are those bulging eyes and strange beard. His wife dies - bulging eyes, he captures Kazan - bulging eyes, he learns about the plot against him - bulging eyes. The rest of the crew does better, but still (as in all Eisenstein's movies) not great.
Eisenstein proves that he was a movie wizard, some of the shots are amazing, the way he uses shades is something exceptional. But I couldn't get rid of a feeling that 'Ivan the Terrible' is ten years behind western masterpieces of that period: 'Citizen Kane', 'Henry V', 'Notorious' not to mention colours in 'Gone with the Wind'.
7/10 (looking forward to the second part)