Sergei Eisenstein directs Nikolai Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman and Mikhail Nazvanov in this Soviet biopic of 16th century tsar who unified Russia.

Two parts, over three hours, with an abrupt switch to colour in the last act. I watched this uninterrupted all over an afternoon. It kinda washed over me but I was never left behind by the conspiracies and powerplays. Visually striking, lots of memorable close-ups of faces being sinister.

6/6

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/