

Ivan the Terrible, Part I
Set during the early part of his reign, Ivan faces betrayal from the aristocracy and even his closest friends as he seeks to unite the Russian people. Sergei Eisenstein's final film, this is the first part of a three-part biopic of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia, which was never completed due to the producer's dissatisfaction with Eisenstein's attempts to use forbidden experimental filming techniques and excessive cost overruns. The second part was completed but not released for a decade after Eisenstein's death and a change of heart in the USSR government toward his work; the third part was only in its earliest stage of filming when shooting was stopped altogether.
Where to watch Ivan the Terrible, Part I in United States
Click a service to open Ivan the Terrible, Part I there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.
Where is Ivan the Terrible, Part I streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, FlixFling | Apple TV Store, FlixFling |
| Canada | Criterion Channel, FlixFling | FlixFling, Amazon Video |
| France | Amazon Prime Video, Molotov TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Amazon Video |
| Spain | Filmin | — |
| Brazil | Looke, NetMovies | — |
| Japan | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Amazon Video, FOD |
| South Korea | FilmBox+ | — |
About Ivan the Terrible, Part I
Ivan the Terrible, Part I is a 1944 Russian-language drama and history film directed by Sergei Eisenstein. The cast is led by Nikolai Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman. It has a runtime of 1h 35m. Viewers rate it 7.3/10 across 200 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel.
Ivan the Terrible, Part I was produced by Mosfilm and TsOKS and made in Soviet Union. It was released on November 11, 1944, and carries a NR certification.
- Director
- Sergei Eisenstein
- Writers
- Sergei Eisenstein
- Release date
- November 11, 1944
- Original language
- Russian
- Age rating
- NR
- Status
- Released
- Country
- Soviet Union
- Production
- Mosfilm, TsOKS
Ivan the Terrible, Part I cast & crew
Ivan the Terrible, Part I was directed by Sergei Eisenstein and written by Sergei Eisenstein.
The cast features Nikolai Cherkasov as Czar Ivan IV, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya as Czarina Anastasia Romanovna, Serafima Birman as Boyarina Efrosinia Staritskaya, Mikhail Nazvanov as Prince Andrei Kurbsky, Mikhail Zharov as Czar's Guard Malyuta Skuratov, and Amvrosii Buchma as Czar's Guard Aleksei Basmanov.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Sergei Prokofiev, cinematography is by Andrey Moskvin, and it was produced by Sergei Eisenstein.
Is Ivan the Terrible, Part I worth watching?
Ivan the Terrible, Part I holds an audience score of 7.3/10 from 228 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.
At 1h 35m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy drama and history, Ivan the Terrible, Part I is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Ivan the Terrible, Part I
In United States, you can stream Ivan the Terrible, Part I on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, FlixFling, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Apple TV Store and FlixFling. Click any service above to open it directly.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Ivan the Terrible, Part I

Nikolai Cherkasov
Czar Ivan IV

Lyudmila Tselikovskaya
Czarina Anastasia Romanovna

Serafima Birman
Boyarina Efrosinia Staritskaya

Mikhail Nazvanov
Prince Andrei Kurbsky

Mikhail Zharov
Czar's Guard Malyuta Skuratov

Amvrosii Buchma
Czar's Guard Aleksei Basmanov

Mikhail Kuznetsov
Fyodor Basmanov

Pavel Kadochnikov
Vladimir Andreyevich Staritsky

Andrei Abrikosov
Boyar Fyodor Kolychev

Alexander Mgebrov
Novgorod's Archbishop Pimen

Maxim Mikhaylov
Archdeacon

Vladimir Balashov
Piotr Volynetz
More from the Ivan The Terrible Collection
Ivan the Terrible, Part I — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Ivan the Terrible, Part I in United States?
Ivan the Terrible, Part I is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, FlixFling in United States.
▸Is Ivan the Terrible, Part I on HBO Max Amazon Channel?
Yes — Ivan the Terrible, Part I is currently available on HBO Max Amazon Channel in United States.
▸What language is Ivan the Terrible, Part I in?
Ivan the Terrible, Part I is originally in Russian. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Ivan the Terrible, Part I?
Ivan the Terrible, Part I runs 1 hours 35 minutes (95 minutes).
▸What is Ivan the Terrible, Part I rated?
Ivan the Terrible, Part I is rated NR. It holds a 7.3/10 audience score from 228 ratings.











