Watch Tsar

Tsar is a Russian historical drama film that was directed by Pavel Lungin in 2009. It is set in the 16th century during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, a tsar who ruled over Russia from 1547 to 1584. The movie tells the story of the tsar's decline into madness and how this affected those around him. The main character of the film is Ivan the Terrible and he is played by Pyotr Mamonov. Mamonov delivers a stunning performance as the tsar who descends into madness over the course of the movie. The film opens with Ivan on the battlefield, leading his troops against the invading Tatars. He is victorious, but the victory comes at a high cost, as many of his men are killed. This loss of life sets the tone for the rest of the movie, as Ivan becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable.

The film focuses on Ivan's relationship with his closest advisors, including his loyal friend and advisor Prince Andrei Kurbsky (played by Oleg Yankovskiy) and his ruthless and power-hungry advisor, Malyuta Skuratov (played by Ramilya Iskander). Ivan trusts Kurbsky implicitly, but as the tsar's mental state deteriorates, Kurbsky becomes increasingly concerned for his friend's wellbeing. He attempts to steer him towards more peaceful solutions to problems, but Ivan becomes increasingly violent and unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Skuratov sees an opportunity to seize more power for himself and begins plotting against Kurbsky. He convinces Ivan that his friend is a traitor and a danger to the tsar's rule. This creates a rift between the two men and leads to a tragic confrontation between them.

Throughout the movie, we see Ivan's mental state deteriorate further and further. He becomes obsessed with his own power and begins to see himself as a god. He starts to believe that he can do no wrong and that anyone who disagrees with him is a threat to his rule. This leads to a series of brutal purges and executions, as Ivan tries to eliminate anyone who he perceives as a threat.

One of the most striking things about Tsar is the way that it portrays the violence and brutality of Ivan's rule. There are several scenes in the movie that are difficult to watch, as we see Ivan ordering the execution of innocent people or torturing those who he suspects of treachery. The film does not shy away from the horrors of this period in Russian history and manages to convey a sense of the fear and uncertainty that many people must have felt during Ivan's reign.

Despite the film's focus on historical events, Tsar is also a deeply personal story. We see the toll that Ivan's madness takes on those around him and it is heartbreaking to watch Kurbsky and others try to reason with him, only to be met with violence and cruelty. Mamonov's performance as Ivan is particularly affecting, as he portrays the tsar's descent into madness with real empathy and nuance.

In conclusion, Tsar is a gripping and powerful film that provides a shocking glimpse into the mind of one of Russia's most notorious rulers. The movie's strong performances, particularly from Pyotr Mamonov, and its unflinching portrayal of violence and brutality make it a difficult but rewarding watch. Anyone interested in Russian history or historical dramas in general should definitely give this movie a chance.