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Ivan the Terrible, Part I

1944·Movie·NR·95 min·7.3(228)
DramaHistory

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.

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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?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesHBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, FlixFlingApple TV Store, FlixFling
CanadaCriterion Channel, FlixFlingFlixFling, Amazon Video
FranceAmazon Prime Video, Molotov TV, Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Video
SpainFilmin
BrazilLooke, NetMovies
JapanAmazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Video, FOD
South KoreaFilmBox+

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
#coronation#exile#treason#tatars#wedding#church#intrigue#medieval

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

Nikolai Cherkasov

Czar Ivan IV

Lyudmila Tselikovskaya

Lyudmila Tselikovskaya

Czarina Anastasia Romanovna

Serafima Birman

Serafima Birman

Boyarina Efrosinia Staritskaya

Mikhail Nazvanov

Mikhail Nazvanov

Prince Andrei Kurbsky

Mikhail Zharov

Mikhail Zharov

Czar's Guard Malyuta Skuratov

Amvrosii Buchma

Amvrosii Buchma

Czar's Guard Aleksei Basmanov

Mikhail Kuznetsov

Mikhail Kuznetsov

Fyodor Basmanov

Pavel Kadochnikov

Pavel Kadochnikov

Vladimir Andreyevich Staritsky

Andrei Abrikosov

Andrei Abrikosov

Boyar Fyodor Kolychev

Alexander Mgebrov

Alexander Mgebrov

Novgorod's Archbishop Pimen

Maxim Mikhaylov

Maxim Mikhaylov

Archdeacon

Vladimir Balashov

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.

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