"Peter the Great" (1986) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Directors:

Marvin J. Chomsky
Lawrence Schiller

Writers:

Edward Anhalt (writer)
Robert K. Massie (book)

Release Date:

2 February 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Plot:

This is the story of Peter I, Tsar of Russia from 1682, and the constant struggle between him, his sister Sophia and the Streltsy...

Plot Keywords:

Russia | Costume | Great Northern War | TV Mini-Series | Pulitzer Prize Source

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Maximilian Schell	...	Peter the Great
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Sophia
Omar Sharif	...	Prince Feodor Romodanovsky
Trevor Howard	...	Sir Isaac Newton
Laurence Olivier	...	King William III of Orange
Helmut Griem	...	Alexander Menshikov
Jan Niklas	...	Young Peter the Great
Elke Sommer	...	Charlotte
Renée Soutendijk	...	Anna Mons
Ursula Andress	...	Athalie
Mel Ferrer	...	Frederick
Hanna Schygulla	...	Catherine Skevronskaya
Mike Gwilym	...	Shafirov
Günther Maria Halmer	...	Count Tolstoy
Olegar Fedoro	...	Boyar Lopukhin

Runtime:

Germany:360 min (4 parts) | USA:371 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Moscow, Russia

Company:

NBC Productions

Trivia:

The original producer/director Lawrence Schiller was fired after NBC was informed the project was going over budget. It was only after he was replaced that it was revealed the budget information was based on accounting error and not a production problem. Then, the lead actor left in the middle of production to direct an opera and only returned several weeks later.

A very entertaining movie. Excellent performances.

I read a prior comment and was rather shocked. I was always taught that if entertainment becomes too like real-life, it ceases to be entertainment. That one should suspend one's disbelief for the term of the film - unless the film is claiming to be a documentary or to be of educational value.

Anyhow, I am not a Russian ex-patriot. I'm an American, born and bred. I loved this movie! My father is an History professor. I was well aware that the film was not entirely historically accurate. I will grant you that by 1986, one would wish to have a bit more accuracy regarding the major historical events.

I must disagree that there was a prophetic quality to the 'visionary aspects' of the character Peter the Great. I felt that it came across more as a burning passion. He seemed better educated and thus possessed of a better understanding of what the 'Western European' knowledge/technology could do to help strengthen Russia.

Maximilian Schell is perfect in this role! Although he is a Austrian actor, he is the epitome of a burly Russian Czar.

If you are looking for historical accuracy - look elsewhere. If you are looking for an intense, sweep-me-away drama filled with riveting acting - you've chosen well.