Ivan the Terrible, Part I (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1944, Ivan the Terrible, Part I is a drama and history film directed by Sergei Eisenstein, running about 99 minutes.
What it’s about. Set during the early part of his reign, Ivan faces betrayal from the aristocracy and even his closest friends as he seeks to unite the Russian people. Sergei Eisenstein's final film, this is the first part of a three-part biopic of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia, which was never completed due to the producer's dissatisfaction with Eisenstein's attempts to use forbidden experimental filming techniques and excessive cost overruns. The second part was completed but not released for a decade after Eisenstein's death and a change of heart in the USSR government toward his work; the third part was only in its earliest stage of filming when shooting was stopped altogether.
Who’s in it. Ivan the Terrible, Part I stars Nikolai Cherkasov as Czar Ivan IV, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya as Czarina Anastasia Romanovna, Serafima Birman as Boyarina Efrosinia Staritskaya and Mikhail Nazvanov as Prince Andrei Kurbsky, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Ivan the Terrible, Part I has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, FlixFling and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and FlixFling. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Ivan the Terrible, Part I page.
If you liked it. Fans of Ivan the Terrible, Part I tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Ivan the Terrible, Part I (1944)?
- In US, Ivan the Terrible, Part I is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and FlixFling, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and FlixFling. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Ivan the Terrible, Part I worth watching?
- Ivan the Terrible, Part I holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Ivan the Terrible, Part I?
- Ivan the Terrible, Part I stars Nikolai Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman, Mikhail Nazvanov and Mikhail Zharov.
- When was Ivan the Terrible, Part I released?
- Ivan the Terrible, Part I was released in 1944, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.