Agony: The Life and Death of Rasputin (DVD)
Directed by Elem Klimov
Also Available On:
Vudu Booking InquiryUnder the direction of celebrated filmmaker Elem Klimov (Come and See), Aleksei Petrenko delivers a ferociously over-the-top performance as Grigory Rasputin, the wandering Siberian monk whose messianic influence upon Russia's monarch led its people, like lambs to the slaughter, blind and headlong into World War I, setting the stage for revolution.
Anything but a standard bio-pic, Agony is an unrestrained assault on the ruling class in Russia, whose religious hedonism and political ignorance nearly destroyed the country. Influenced in part by such latter 20th Century phenomena as Charles Manson and The Exorcist, Klimov restages world history with jolting doses of sexual avarice, drunkenness, violence and insanity in startling contrast to staid historical accounts of Rasputin's life and most peculiar death.
At the same time that it was criticized for its harsh depiction of royal decadence, Agony was deemed politically blasphemous for its almost sympathetic treatment of Nicholas II (Anatoli Romashin) -- a pathetic, weak-willed Czar who is dominated not only by the mad monk, but by his own wife and child. As a result, Agony, which was made in 1975, was banned for ten years in its native land until, in the era of Glasnost, Klimov's radical political fable was properly recognized and triumphantly set loose upon the screens of the world.
DVD Extras Include:
- Klimov - A film by Ron and Dorothea Holloway (50 min., w/English subt.)
- Trailer for Klimov's Come and See
- Elem Klimov filmography
- Optional English subtitles
"Mesmerizing...highly sensual! Shares an intoxicating headiness with the surreal works of Andrei Tarkovsky." - Kevin Thomas, The Los Angeles Times
"Establishes the outer limits of Soviet Expressionism...Better than entertaining!" - J. Hoberman, The Village Voice
Interested in bringing Agony: The Life and Death of Rasputin to your school or library? If you'd like to have an in-class viewing, on-campus screening, or purchase the DVD for your library's collection, please contact Estelle Grosso or call (212) 629-6880 with your request.
Agony: The Life and Death of Rasputin may also be available with Public Performance Rights (PPR) and Digital Site Licensing (DSL) for colleges and universities. To purchase the DVD with PPR or DSL, please contact Estelle Grosso or call (212) 629-6880. Click here to learn more at Kino Lorber Edu.
To read more about Kino Lorber Edu's terms of use and ordering information,
visit Kino Lorber Edu.
Related Products
Tom of Finland is one of the major icons of the gay world. Tom's erotic drawings of uniformed and leather-clad beefcake have become a permanent fixture of 20th-century iconography. This definitive... More
Tom of Finland is one of the major icons of the gay world. His provocative erotic drawings have had an enormous influence on gay identity, attitude and self-understanding. This ground-breaking work... More
Country: U.S.
Explore key moments in Billy Graham's journey as a dairy farmer's son who rose to international prominence, becoming one of the most influential preachers in modern history. More
Country: U.S., U.S.
I KNOW A WOMAN LIKE THAT, weaves together interviews with 17 exceptional women who share an upbeat attitude on how to live the upper decades of one's life. More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K.
This film biography follows pioneering dancer Isadora Duncan through years of triumph and tragedy including her taboo-breaking performances, shocking love affairs, and scandalous public behavior. More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K.
This film biography follows pioneering dancer Isadora Duncan through years of triumph and tragedy including her taboo-breaking performances, shocking love affairs, and scandalous public behavior. More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France
After leaving the asylum, Vincent Van Gogh settles in Auvers-sur-Oise, in the home of Doctor Gachet, an art lover and patron. Vincent keeps painting amidst the conflict with his brother, Theo, and th... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France
After leaving the asylum, Vincent Van Gogh settles in Auvers-sur-Oise, in the home of Doctor Gachet, an art lover and patron. Vincent keeps painting amidst the conflict with his brother, Theo, and th... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France
Three of France's most enduring actresses star in this moody and atmospheric look at the reclusive lives of the Bronte sisters. More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France, U.S.
John Osborne's play is a fascinating and powerful psychological study of the Augustinian monk Martin Luther, examining his central role in the birth of Protestantism and revolt against the Roman... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France, U.S., U.S.
John Osborne's play is a fascinating and powerful psychological study of the Augustinian monk Martin Luther, examining his central role in the birth of Protestantism and revolt against the Roman... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France, U.S., U.S., U.S.
John Osborne's play is a fascinating and powerful psychological study of the Augustinian monk Martin Luther, examining his central role in the birth of Protestantism and revolt against the Roman... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France, U.S., U.S., U.S., U.S.
John Osborne's play is a fascinating and powerful psychological study of the Augustinian monk Martin Luther, examining his central role in the birth of Protestantism and revolt against the Roman... More
This definitive, impressionistic portrait of cinematic visionary Stan Brakhage (1933-2003) features vintage and contemporary interviews with the filmmaker and tons of clips from some of his most... More
The true-life story of the passionate three-decade relationship between British writer Christopher Isherwood and American portrait artist Don Bachardy. A joyful celebration of a most extraordinary... More
Country: U.S., U.S., U.K., U.K., France, France, France, U.S., U.S., U.S., U.S., Canada
I AM MLK JR. celebrates the life and explores the character of an American icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with interviews from history-changing activists, writers and outspoken celebrities. More
RT' @bobfreelander': New' @JustTheDiscsPod' video - my' @KinoLorber' May Spotlight:' https://t.co/a6zPcgA7De'' https://t.co/JcSsyg3t4t'
Shot in secret and smuggled out of Iran,' @berlinale' Golden Bear winner THERE IS NO EVIL by Mohammad Rasoulof is a c…' https://t.co/W8ntSlMsaY'
RT' @Lilfilm': Every couple of days, I'm highlighting an independently owned cinema and how to help support it - in my Insta stories at' @Bake…'
RT' @DVDBeaver': Quantez Blu-ray - Fred MacMurray / Dorothy Malone' @KinoLorber' US:' https://t.co/yIfOEUItHp' CAN:' https://t.co/SYg5oMMWoP' OUR R…
RT' @KLStudioClassic': Coming in September! New 2K Master! Masquerade (1965) Starring Cliff Robertson, Jack Hawkins, Marisa Mell & Michel Pi…
@cynicalsunsh1ne We will look into this, thanks for flagging it.
RT' @TheFilmStage': Mohammad Rasoulof’s Golden Bear Winner 'There Is No Evil' arrives this month. See the new trailer & our review:' https://t…'
RT' @FilmForumNYC': “A riveting thriller. Provokes the wonder and terror of what it means to live in a world where every resolution brings ne…
RT' @jourdanmcclure': EASTERN PROMISES is getting a 4k UHD from' @KinoLorber'. If this doesn’t bring you joy your soul is rotten.
RT' @javier078': I am in a' @KinoLorber' mood this week...' https://t.co/X5VVFyLNwD'
General Inquiries
333 W. 39th St., Ste. 503
New York, NY 10018
Tel. (800) 562-3330
Fax. (212) 714-0871
Press & Media
For publicity assistance and press inquiries please contact us by emailing dninh@kinolorber.com or calling 212-629-6880.
Educational
Please visit our educational site at www.KinoLorberEDU.com
For assistance with educational orders, please contact us at:
Phone:212-629-6880
Fax: 212-714-0871
email: edu@kinolorber.com
