The Fall of the Romanoffs

The Fall of the Romanoffs is a 1917 silent American historical drama film directed by Herbert Brenon. It was released only seven months after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917. This film is notable for starring Rasputins rival, the monk Iliodor, as himself. Costars Nance ONeil and Alfred Hickman were married from 1916 to Hickmans death in 1931. The film was shot in North Bergen, New Jersey, nearby Fort Lee, New Jersey, where many early film studios in Americas first motion picture industry were based at the beginning of the 20th century. Its survival status is classified as unknown, suggesting that it is a lost film.

Iliodor, who left Russia in 1914, played himself in the film, while Nance ONeil was cast as the czarina due to her resemblance of Empress Alexandra. Director Brenon edited the film during production, allowing it to premiere at the RitzCarlton Hotel in New York City on September 6, 1917, which was just days after filming ended. To keep the film current with events in Russia, Brenon continued to edit and add footage through October 1918 to include scenes of the czars execution and the death of the czarina.Like many American films of the time, The Fall of the Romanoffs was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 4, the two intertitles Come, let us sin together so that we may pray together and Be comforted, my child etc., two struggle scenes between Rasputin and Sonia, Rasputin carrying unconscious young woman into other room, Rasputin drawing Sonia towards him, Sonia coming out of room into which Rasputin carried her, closeups of Sonia at couch registering emotion and shame, near view of Sonia kneeling before Iliodor, Reel 5, the two intertitles A fearful thought and Who is the woman?, Reel 6, the two intertitles Anna weary of her inconstant paramour etc. and Bring her to my level, and all scenes of Rasputin in sleeping young womans room except where he enters and scene showing young woman climbing out window. ........

Source: Wikipedia