Ivan the Terrible: The Film Companion (KINOfiles Film Companion) (NO. 9)

Eisenstein's last, unfinished masterpiece is a strange, complex and haunting film. Commissioned personally by Stalin in 1941, Ivan the Terrible placed Eisenstein in the paradoxical situation of having to glorify Stalinist tyranny in the image of Ivan without sacrificing his own artistic and political integrity--or his life. Drawing on sources that include Eisenstein's personal archive and the memoirs of those involved in the film's making, Joan Neuberger's vivid account reveals how, in almost impossible circumstances, Eisenstein managed to create a film of cinematic innovation, intellectual depth and political critique. She reveals the film to be both a great work of art and a product of the time and place in which it was made. Eisenstein's Last, Unfinished Masterpiece Is A Strange, Complex And Haunting Film. Commissioned Personally By Stalin In 1941, The Project Placed Eisenstein In The Paradoxical Situation Of Having To Glorify Stalinist Tyranny In The Image Of Ivan, Without Sacrificing His Own Artistic And Political Integrity - Or His Life. Joan Nueberger's Vivid Account Reveals How In Almost Impossible Circumstances He Managed To Create A Film Of Cinematic Innovation, Intellectual Depth And Political Critique. She Draws On Sources That Include Eisenstein's Personal Archive And The Memoirs And Letters Of People Involved In Making Ivan The Terrible, And Shows The Film To Be Both A Great Work Of Art And A Product Of The Time And Place In Which It Was Made.--book Jacket. Joan Neuberger. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [144]-145). Eisenstein's last, unfinished masterpiece is a strange, complex and haunting film. Commissioned personally by Stalin in 1941, the project placed Eisenstein in the paradoxical situation of having to glorify Stalinist tyranny in the image of Ivan, without sacrificing his own artistic and political integrity - or his life. Drawing on sources that include Eisenstein's personal archive and the memoirs of those involved in Ivan's making, Joan Neuberger's vivid account reveals how, in almost impossible circumstances, he managed to create a film of cinematic innovation, intellectual depth and political critique. She reveals the film to be both a great work of art and a product of the time and place in which it was made. "Ivan the Terrible", Eisenstein's last film, is a complex work. Commissioned by Stalin himself, the director had to glorify the dictator's tyranny, yet attempted to preserve his own artistic and personal integrity. This study documents how Eisentstein performed the near-impossible in doing so.