Ivan the Terrible: Part Two: Sergei Eisenstein

Although initially completed in 1946, Sergei Eisenstein's Ivan the Terrible: Part Two wouldn't be released until 1958, ten full years after his death. The reason was that the film was considered inappropriate by state authorities and film censors upon its initial completion. But thankfully due to modern releases of the film, it is possible to view both episodes of Sergei Eisenstein's last cinematic production in the same sitting. Indeed, I watched both films in a single three hour marathon. Upon completing them, I have come to the conclusion that Part Two, while still a transcendent piece of film-making, is inherently inferior to its predecessor. Part Two follows Ivan IV's return to power after his initial abdication at the end of Part One. The film takes place almost exclusively inside palaces, throne rooms, and hallways, thereby transforming it from a historical epic (like the first film which included battle scenes against the khanate of Kazan), into a period drama. I can summarize Part Two in a sentence: Ivan IV consolidates his power against the boyars and thwarts another one of their assassination attempts. The same carefully calculated cinematography, framing, and choreography from Part One is present here. However, it grows tiring and difficult to watch after the first 30 minutes when it becomes obvious that Eisenstein is simply repeating the techniques used in Part One. Eisenstein was nothing if not a pioneer and constant innovator of the cinematic paradigm. If one watches his films chronologically, his techniques and methods can be traced as they expand and develop. But in Part Two Eisenstein is merely treading water. While a magnificent film in its own right, one wonders if Part Two is the coda that a career like Eisenstein's deserved.

8/10