Ivan the Terrible

This book explores Sergei Eisenstein's vision for his trilogy, delving into the artistic and philosophical influences behind the film's design. It also examines the challenges faced after his passing.

Ivan the Terrible explores the ambitious vision of director Sergei Eisenstein, who intended the film as a trilogy. Although he completed the first two parts, the project remained unfinished due to his untimely death before he could start the third installment. The first part garnered widespread acclaim, earning a Stalin Prize, while the second faced significant backlash from the Kremlin, leading to its ban until 1958. This book delves into the complexities surrounding Eisenstein's work and the historical context in which it was created.

Yuri Tsivian utilizes research from Soviet archives to provide a deeper understanding of Eisenstein's artistic intentions. The author reconstructs what he terms Eisenstein's mental film, revealing the underlying concepts that shaped the final product. The narrative connects the film's aesthetic elements and visual design to Eisenstein's extensive knowledge of various disciplines, including iconography, painting, psychoanalysis, philosophy, and literature, drawing influences from figures such as Shakespeare and Balzac.

By examining these connections, the book highlights how Eisenstein's intellectual pursuits informed his cinematic style and storytelling techniques. It offers readers a comprehensive look at the interplay between art and ideology in Soviet cinema, emphasizing the significance of Ivan the Terrible not only as a film but also as a cultural artifact reflective of its time. Through this exploration, Tsivian invites readers to appreciate the depth of Eisenstein's vision and the challenges he faced in bringing it to fruition.