When a Tsar Falls: Alexander II

Author(s): Qasim
Location: England

“When a Tsar Falls: Alexander II”

Directed by Roman Polanski
Written by Peter Morgan and Roman Polanski

Principal Cast:

Liam Neeson – Alexander II
Toni Collette – Marie Alexandrovna
Eric Bana – Young Alexander III
Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov
Christie Brinkly - Princess Catherine Mikhailovna Dolgorukova
John Early - Dmitry Vladimirovich Karakozov
Stephen Dillane - Count Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov
Robert Downey Jr - Ignacy Hryniewiecki

Tagline: “One mans reforms, destroyed a dynasty”

Synopsis: When a Tsar Falls: Alexander II’ is the first film of 3 parts, which deals with the years after the death of Nicolas I, his son Alexander II succeeds and has the growing pressure of maintaining the Tsarist system of Autocracy whilst transforming the state of Russia with a full set of reforms – to abolish serfdom, to improve the military from its uselessness, to liberalize the legal system and to enforce western teachings in universities. Once the reforms are carried out the problems of his reforms soon arise with peasants hating their new life due to bad living conditions and the problems within the legal system, Alexander must face of criticisms. But whilst his attention is diverted to the barrage of criticisms, young revolutionary groups (In particular ‘the people’s will’) are formed with the aim to remove the Tsar, Ignacy Hryniewiecki succeeds in murdering the Tsar, leaving at the end a young Alexander III to rule over Russia in it’s crumbling state.

What the press would say:

A film with such brilliance, beauty, danger and emotion has been made. Roman Polanski delivers an outstanding opening of a Tsar granting reforms which will in the end destroy their long line of rule. ‘When a Tsar falls’ tells itself, with stunning scenery, highly accurate events and breathtaking performances, it compares to the other great films such as Munich, Schindlers List, The Pianist and so on, it leaves you troubled yet wanting more. Liam Neeson carries the film with his unique portrayal of Alexander II, and a stunning Toni Collette and Robert Downey Jr in supporting roles give the film its unnatural feel as Alexander II’s wife and the revolutionary out to destroy the Tsar.Come awards season ‘When a Tsar falls: Alexander II’ will surely make it’s impact, with nods in all categories.

Oscar awards:

Best Picture
Best Director – Roman Polanski
Best Actor in a Leading Role – Liam Neeson
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Toni Collette
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best On-Set Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Sound
Best Film Editing