Rasputin the Mad Monk

Image credit: Hammer Films

Ever wanted to see a bad Hammer Horror movie featuring Rasputin as the monster? You known you can right? It’s called Rasputin the Mad Monk, it stars Christopher Lee, –who else- and it’s pretty darn terrible in all its B-grade glory.

We all remember hearing about Rasputin in high school yes? That creepy holy man that was brought into the inner circle of the Tsar and Tsarina and corrupted them until a bunch of dudes finally decided to murder him. Basically, that part of the story is what this movie is about. After performing a miracle by healing a local tavern-owner’s wife Grigori Rasputin (Christopher Lee) begins his treacherous ascent to power through his talents in healing, hypnosis, and debauchery.

Considering that the story of Rasputin’s demise is more legendary than the man himself, it makes complete sense that he was pegged for a Hammer Horror monster. Of course this movie is as far away from a close adaptation as it’s possible to get, but that’s not the really the point of these films is it? In all honestly I don’t know what the point of these movies was, but they still prove to provide some form of enjoyment –even if you’re laughing at their ludicrousness. The Mad Monk is a horror movie set in a version of Russia that is populated solely with Brits: not one attempt at a Russian accent makes it onto screen. It’s also a horror flick that delivers no thrills or suspense or horror of any kind, merely the suggestion of something frightening. I’ll admit things get a little more exciting as soon as a body count starts to rise however, the ridiculously short running time gives the film absolutely no opportunity to develop any real story, not time for us to form an attachment to the characters, –though there are hardly any 3-dimensional characters to be found- indeed there is no time for anything in this movie.

Image credit: ScifiNow

Its sole redeeming feature: the velvety voice and glorious presence of Christopher Lee. Eerily true to his character, I feel like I ended up watching the entire thing because I was hypnotised by his rich and beautiful voice. His performance is pretty great, being the only soul that seemed to be actually putting in effort –aside from the costume designers. So snaps to Lee.

But all in all Rasputin the Mad Monk is a film that –like other old Hammer productions I’ve seen- does not stand the test of time and, as a result, has become pretty stale and indigestible.

Starring: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Richard Pasco, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Dinsdale Landen, Renee Asherson, Joss Ackland, John Welsh, and John Bailey