MovieChat Forums > Ivan Groznyy. Skaz vtoroy: Boyarskiy zagovor (1959) Discussion > Part I and Part II

Part I and Part II

posted 17 years ago by LandenC
4 replies | jump to latest

I recently purchased the Janus Film's Essential Art House collection in which this film is contained. I was wondering, for those of you who are familiar with both part I and part II if you need to see the first to understand the second, because the first part isn't included. I have seen most of Eisenstein's works except Ivan Groznyy I & II, and a few of his later films, so I'm very curious whether or not it's needed and/or suggested that I see the first before the second.

The set also included Wajda's Ashes & Diamonds which was part of his war trilogy, however it wasn't neccesary at all to view Kanal or A Generation since they were separate stories completely. If anyone could give me some input, I would much appreciate it.

On a sidenote, completely unrelated... I purchased the Protofiev's score to Ivan The Terrible after hearing and falling in love with Alexander Nevsky's beautiful musical accompaniment, and I am currently listening to it as I write this. It's absolutely breathtaking.

[–] trochesset 17 years ago

I already own prob. 80% of the movies in this new collection, so I likely won't be cashing in on the value.

What like $12.50 a piece? Great.

I think I may have watched Ivan II on TCM before I ever bought the set and watched the first one. In the long run both Ivan I and part II are masterpieces that you will likely revisist many times in your life, so I don't think it will make that much a difference if you see part 2 first. Hey I saw part 2 first and it hasn't hurt me.

I say, go ahead and watch it, and then you will want Ivan I, and you will watch it. I think the Ivan films are some of the very greatest ever made. Very stylised though, kind of theatrical acting that produces a great effect and some rather expressionistic sets that are absolutely beautiful.

[–] LandenC 17 years ago

I assumed that I would eventually want to own both I & II, but as I mentioned wasn't sure if I needed to see one before the other. I'm going through this set by watching one film a week in the order they have it organized (which is alphabetical instead of chronological... which I think I would've done differently.)

So, I still have awhile before this film comes up. A couple months in fact. I may just go get the first film and watch them together and make the whole point moot haha.

[–] Goldmund1710 17 years ago

Watch both parts one after the other. You will be dazzled!

[–] artihcus022 15 years ago

It's absolutely mandatory to see both parts. It's like Godfather Parts I & II.

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