Day 86: Ivan the Terrible: Part 2 (1958)

The second film in “The Criterion Summer’s” Sergei Eisenstein tw0 day double feature is “Ivan the Terrible: Part 2.” Obviously, when looking upon the title, the question arrises why it’s first part has not been viewed perviously, but, its safe to say, that this second part is a film all its own and, by itself, a piece of work that, once again, like Eisenstein’s “Alexander Nevsky” before it, created history while telling it. Fresh off the rousing success of both “Nevsky” and “Ivan the Terrible: Part 1,” Eisenstein was once again approved by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to continue his work and develop a second and third part to his “Ivan” trilogy. But, not only would this second film once again cause controversy for the famed director, he himself would never see it actually released.

In the epic second part of “Ivan the Terrible,” Ivan has recently renounced his thrown and fled Russia. Upon his absence, the commanding Boyars, who were once second only to Ivan, split the lands between them and all of Russia seems at the mercy of Poland, who is planning to invade. But, before anyone can enact their plans, Ivan returns claiming the Boyars’ land once again for himself and instating them as managers to the property, further increasing his own overall power.

With Ivan still seeking revenge for the death of his wife, he has become more brutal then ever and the Boyars are desperate to to cut him from his power. Seizing an opportunity, they hire an assassin to kill Ivan during a large banquet and all is set up to finally bring the Tsar down. But Ivan is shrewder than they’ and just might turn the tables on all of them.

With the overwhelming success of Sergei Eisenstein’s “Ivan the Terrible: Part 1,” which won him praise from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin as well as the coveted “Stalin Prize,” it was an assured fact that Eisenstein would continue his epic trilogy with two more parts. But, while the first film was considered a story that made Ivan and his part in Russian history praiseworthy, the second film, shot in 1946, showcased his brutality and vengeful spirit, evoking a strong level of distaste from the Russian government, including Stalin, who’s own political viciousness had grown reminiscent of the cruel Tsar. “Ivan the Terrible was very cruel,” the dictator explained to Eisenstein. “You can depict him as a cruel man, but you have to show why he had to be cruel.” Obviously a statement of both personal conviction as well as film critique.

Even with the film criticized by the government and shelved for the time being, Stalin allowed Eisenstein to continue his work, in hopes he would eventually compromise his vision for the sake of his country. Though Eisenstein began filming small parts of “Ivan the Terrible: Part 3,” his failing health forced him to quite production and he died in 1948, weeks after his 50th birthday. With the production on the final part of the trilogy hardly started, the film was abandoned and “Ivan the Terrible: Part 2″ remained unseen until 1958, ten years after Eisenstein’s passing and five after Stalin’s. Upon it finally being screened for the public, it grew to even greater popularity than it’s first part and remains one of Eisenstein’s most well loved pieces of work.

To learn more about “Ivan the Terrible: Part 2,” check out Criterion’s page here.

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