Nicholas and Alexandra is an epic historical film which is based upon a 1967 best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Robert K. Massie. The film had a troubled production, as two directors dropped out of the project before producer Sam Spiegel finally settled upon Franklin J. Schaffner, who had won a Best Director Oscar® in 1970 for Patton. In the meantime, box office stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave were considered for roles in the film, but financial constraints forced Spiegel to limit his use of well-known actors to supporting roles. The film was released to mixed reviews, but it nevertheless received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It is now available in a stunningly gorgeous Blu-ray release courtesy of Sony and Twilight Time.
Nicholas and Alexandra
Studio: Twilight Time/Columbia Pictures
Year: 1971
Rated: Not Rated
Program Length: 189 minutes (including intermission) Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 1080p
Languages: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
Subtitles: English SDH
The Program
The Russia that my father gave me never lost a war. - Czar Nicholas II
Nicholas and Alexandra is an epic historical film which is based upon a 1967 best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Robert K. Massie. The film had a troubled production, as two directors dropped out of the project before producer Sam Spiegel finally settled upon Franklin J. Schaffner, who had won a Best Director Oscar® in 1970 for Patton. In the meantime, box office stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave were considered for roles in the film, but financial constraints forced Spiegel to limit his use of well-known actors to supporting roles. The film was released to mixed reviews, but it nevertheless received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It is now available in a stunningly gorgeous Blu-ray release courtesy of Sony and Twilight Time.
The year is 1904 and Alexandra (Janet Suzman), the wife of Czar Nicholas II of Russia (Michael Jayston) is about to deliver her fifth child. The previous four are all girls, so Nicholas ("Nicky" to his wife and relatives) is thrilled when she presents him with a male heir, Alexei. However, their joy is muted when it is discovered that Alexei was born with hemophilia, a condition for which there was no treatment. The other immediate concern facing Nicholas was the Russo-Japanese War, which was going badly for Russia. His top advisors were suggesting that he cut his losses and end the war, but Nicholas balked at the thought of being the first Russian Czar to lose a war (a message which surely resonated with American audiences in 1971).
In the meantime, there was considerable unrest in Russia. The Bolsheviks - among them Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin - were agitating for revolution as the workers and peasant farmers of Russia were suffering under the Czar's autocratic rule. Nicholas obstinately resisted overtures to implement political reform, refusing to give up any of the power which the Romanov Dynasty had wielded for 300 years. His stubbornness and inexperience in military matters reached a critical point in 1914, when an ill-timed strategic decision by Nicholas led to war with Germany. Russia was ill-prepared for World War I, and it led to tragic consequences for Nicholas, Alexandra, their children, and the people of Russia.
At the center of Nicholas and Alexandra is the relationship between the two principal characters, and unfortunately it also is the film's weakest element because those characters are not particularly compelling. Their marriage is politically significant because Alexandra is German. She is regarded with mistrust by many Russians, an important point which the film takes too long to make. Nicholas is a mediocre leader who was unprepared to rule Russia when his father died. Alexandra repeatedly pushes him to be more forceful, and his desire to appear strong clearly plays a role in some of the poor decisions he makes. One of the more interesting characters in the film is Rasputin (Tom Baker), the mystical and debauched monk who wins Alexandra's confidence through his apparent ability to help Alexei recover from his bleeding episodes.
As epics go, Nicholas and Alexandra is unusual because most of the action takes place indoors, albeit in wonderfully sumptuous surroundings. There are a few scenes of soldiers in the field, but no battle scenes. Even the Russian Revolution takes place mostly off-screen. Nevertheless it is a highly literate film, and even at three plus hours it keeps the viewer's attention.
The lead actors were relative unknowns to filmgoers, but as noted many of the supporting roles are filled by famous actors, including Jack Hawkins, Laurence Olivier, Michael Redgrave, and Curt Jurgens (Rex Harrison reportedly turned down a minor role in the film). Michael Jayston is convincing as Nicholas, and Janet Suzman received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress for her portrayal of Alexandra (she lost to Jane Fonda, who won for Klute). The film also received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography (Freddie Young) and Best Original Score (Richard Rodney Bennett). It won Oscars® for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.
The packaging for Nicholas and Alexandra lists a running time of 189, which I clocked at 188 minutes and change. The running time includes a three-minute intermission at the film's approximate halfway point. In spite of its shortcomings, the film has many devoted fans and they will be thrilled with this wonderful Blu-ray release.
As is the case with all Twilight Time releases, this Blu-ray is a limited edition of 3,000 copies. Click here for ordering information.
The Video
As noted, this Blu-ray has been created from a spectacular, beautiful transfer from Sony. The colors, in particular the deep and vivid reds, burst off the screen without bleeding or noise. The image is free of dirt, scratches, or any other problems. It appears to be properly framed and it is very sharp and detailed. The exterior filming was done on location in Spain and Yugoslavia, and Freddie Young's outstanding cinematography has never looked better.
The Audio
Sadly, composer Richard Rodney Bennett died this past Christmas Eve and he is not able to hear this fine reproduction of his score. There has been some discussion about the decision to release this Blu-ray in 1.0 DTS-HD, but by all accounts that is how it was recorded and released. The soundtrack is fairly strong (although the level is set low and I had to turn up the volume on my receiver) and the dialogue is clear and understandable. I heard some slight hiss in a few of the more quiet scenes, but nothing that would be distracting to most viewers. Mr. Bennett's score is powerful and I am sure that he would be quite pleased with the way it is presented here.
The Supplements
There are just a few extras here. In addition to the usual isolated score track, we have the original theatrical trailer and three vintage, standard-definition featurettes.
"Changing Faces" is a 6-minute look at how the principal actors were made up to look astonishingly like their historical counterparts.
"Royal Daughters" chronicles that work done by the four actresses who play the daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra. It is narrated by Lynne Frederick (Tatiana), who six years later gained notoriety as the fourth and final wife of Peter Sellers.
"The Royal Touch" examines the process of designing authentic fashions for the film.
The isolated film score differs from the main soundtrack because it spreads the film's music across all three front speakers. I do not detect any stereo separation, however.
The on-screen catalogue of Twilight Time releases shows that The Fury, Christine, and The Song of Bernadette are scheduled to be released in March. The Song of Bernadette will be a late March release.
Included with the disc is a typically excellent and informative 8-page illustrated booklet written by film historian Julie Kirgo. She gives many insights into the film's pre-production issues, including the failed attempt to sign Peter O'Toole to play Rasputin.
The Packaging
The single disc is packaged in a standard Blu-ray keep case.
The Final Analysis
Nicholas and Alexandra is a beautiful epic film which boasts a literate script and excellent acting. As noted, the film's major drawback is that the title characters are rather banal - at one point Nicholas is derided as "a man of no imagination," and indeed he seems to be quite clueless as his empire falls apart around him. The first half of the film may be a bit confusing to viewers who are not familiar with the history of early 20th century Europe and Russia, but overall this is a very interesting film about a highly significant historical period.
Equipment used for this review:
Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player
Panasonic Viera TC-P46G15 Plasma display, calibrated to THX specifications by Gregg Loewen
Yamaha HTR-5890 THX Surround Receiver
BIC Acoustech speakers
Interconnects: Monster Cable
Release Date: February 12, 2013