Nicholas And Alexandra Paranoia

Nicholas and Alexandra is the 1971 tragedy about the last ruling Tsar of Russia, Nicholas Romanov II, and his wife, Alexandra Romanov. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and based on the novel by James Goldman, it takes place in Russia, just prior to and during WWI. The film was awarded several Academy Awards, including Best Set Direction and Best Costume Design. By continuously flashing back and forth between the lives of the Tsar and his family and the lives of the people over which they ruled, Nicholas and Alexandra shines light on the stunning contrast between the upper and working classes of early 1900’s Russia. By the end of the film, between the growing rage of their people and the sinister manipulation of supposed holy man Gregory

1971 America, just like 1914 Russia, was experiencing protests against its ruling class. Minorities and workers alike marched for rights, carried strong on the wave that began in the 1960s. This was retaliated heavily by an upper-class conservative movement that called for an emphasis on traditional families and virtues. All of this chaos is nearly identical to the plotline of Nicholas and Alexandra, and one could even draw comparisons between the power-hunger and paranoia of Tsar Nicholas and President Richard Nixon. One can be almost certain that the heavy political overtones were intentional. Additionally, if there is any doubt that Nicholas and Alexandra is an American statement piece through and through, one must only look at the portrayal of the rebel leaders, such as Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin, both of whom make an appearance. They are shown as the ringleaders of all rebellious operations and should thus be sympathetic; but given the age-old American hate of Communism, despite being “good” they are given bloodthirsty and violent traits, something that may very well have been different if the film were produced in

One can safely say that the majority of the film is based in truth: Russia did engage in and eventually withdraw from the war in Japan; Nicholas and Alexandra did have a son with hemophilia; there was a revolution, and a large part of it was orchestrated by the manipulator, Gregory Rasputin. But as for the details, large parts are fantasy, as is to be expected. No historian was in the room with Nicholas II when he received the news of Bloody Sunday, the same way no one was eavesdropping on the conversations between Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin. So much of the tale is rumor and mystery already that the callousness, foolishness, and exaggeration of characters and events seems almost