A few scenes with Vanessa Redgrave as the banished Princess Sophia indicates that she's still scheming against her much younger brother, Tsar Peter, now fully in control after the death of half brother Ivan. Her scheming leads to a treasonous plot that results in some horrendous executions.
Peter's marital issues have created much scandal, and son Alexi is at odds with Peter who is still trying to groom him for the imperial throne. But the biggest issue is his determination to modernize Russia and start trade with other countries. The imperialism of the growing power brings Peter in contact with other rulers, and old customs are mixed with new ideas as the greatness becomes obvious.
It's interesting to see the flawed human mixing with a strong leader, as mistress and second wife Catherine (who will end up ruling Russia) becomes a major figure, played by Hanna Schygulla. Maximilian Schell has taken over as the middle aged Peter, and Boris Plotnikov strikes a cord as Prince Alexi.
In a cameo, Laurence Olivier sadly looks and sounds very weak. Mel Ferrer has a great scene as the King of neighboring Prussia. Perhaps far too much going on in the way of new characters coming in and out, but as a companion to reading about all these historical references, this is a beautiful visual guide. The ending of this part is a real stunner.
Peter's marital issues have created much scandal, and son Alexi is at odds with Peter who is still trying to groom him for the imperial throne. But the biggest issue is his determination to modernize Russia and start trade with other countries. The imperialism of the growing power brings Peter in contact with other rulers, and old customs are mixed with new ideas as the greatness becomes obvious.
It's interesting to see the flawed human mixing with a strong leader, as mistress and second wife Catherine (who will end up ruling Russia) becomes a major figure, played by Hanna Schygulla. Maximilian Schell has taken over as the middle aged Peter, and Boris Plotnikov strikes a cord as Prince Alexi.
In a cameo, Laurence Olivier sadly looks and sounds very weak. Mel Ferrer has a great scene as the King of neighboring Prussia. Perhaps far too much going on in the way of new characters coming in and out, but as a companion to reading about all these historical references, this is a beautiful visual guide. The ending of this part is a real stunner.