Community Chat

[Sushismom]

I'm sure you know this, but the Romanovs are an imperial and not a royal family. Also, you mentioned Alexander instead of Nicholas as the last czar's name. 

The book by Massie is good but certainly not excellent. I've read about all the books about the Romanovs written in English. Not sure exactly what I think about Alexandra; whether or not she was a bit loony or all out crazy. She certainly wasn't normal.

[Oznell]

Thank you, @Sooner ,  that makes me happy!   I've also always found them to be so poignant, especially with that hideous ending.

Thanks, @Sushismom ,  I misspoke in referring to Nicholas the second time.

I'm aware of the "imperial" designation, but a colloquial little devil in me wanted the catchy alliteration of the two "r's" for my thread title --   royal romanovs!

Wow, @SharkE ,  I didn't know about Mary gaining possession of Alexandra's jewels.  How interesting.  I have always thought that George must have been tortured by guilt for not giving refuge to the family.

George and Nicholas had that family resemblance:

The family connections among the English, Russian, Danish, German, etc. ruling families are so tangled, but here are a couple of family trees showing various connections, to anyone who's interested:

 

I always find them confusing-- even my own family tree is so convoluted.  

Interestingly, I think it was Prince Philip, coming to the rescue with his own DNA, who was able to establish that none of the immediate Romanov family members  survived that unspeakable late night massacre.

 

[Somertime]

@Oznell   It was and is one of my favorites!  A beautiful love story, a story of sadness and pain and betrayal.  The richness of the life they lived in staggering detail.  A very handsome family.  The story of a Mother's heartbreak regarding her child, her willingness to believe anything or anyone who would be able to alleviate the pain and cure her treasured son.

I remember how vain Nicholas' mother was and the facelifts she endured.  Apparently, they injected wax into her face and a some later date, it was extremely hot and from being in the sun watching a parade pass, her face started to melt.  I remember reading that passage over a few times because I could not understand injecting wax under the skin and then to have it melt.  Amazing the things that stick in your brain!

[BlueFinch]

Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed these photos and reviewing some of the history.

A strikingly beautiful family gradually moving into chaos, with untimely end. A story told, so sad, that when I first studied it, I wanted to believe it was fiction, fully knowing it wasn't. 

[Pearlee]

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@Johnnyeager wrote:

The film version,  released in 1971, was considered quite the prestige movie at the time, but is largely forgotten today.  While a commercial failure, it earned 6 Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Janet Suzman and Best Picture. 

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It won 2, for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. 

Visually stunning and sumptuous,  but quite the slog with a 190 minute running time.

I saw the film when came out and thought it was incredibly boring. I could barely sit through it.

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[SharkE]

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@kaydee50 wrote:

@SharkE   I have requested from our library the book "George, Nicholas and Wilhelm Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I."  I'm looking forward to reading it.

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@kaydee50  I was gonna say you'll be amazed at how much alike George V

and Nicholas looked alike. NIcholas's mother was a sister to Alexendra the wife of Edward the VII who was the Father of George V. So, they were cousins. I see somebody posted a pic of the two.

You really have too like history to try and remember who was who, who married who, kids they had. If you don't like history or can't understand it best find something else. LOL

[chessylady]

Years ago I read the book and saw the movie. It is sad when children are murdered which happened to the entire family. Social unrest and regime change often brings violence and cruelty. No one is exempt from the fallout.

[Oznell]

What an exceptional, sort of metaphorical image that is of the injected wax melting, @Somertime --   chills!

[SharkE]

I, had never read that, myself.   I hate it when they make stuff up in the movies they do of historical figues. Usually just a load...................LOL

[RespectLife]

@Johnnyeager 

The movie was just on Turner not that long ago.

I taped it so I could take breaks...lol, it is so long.

I hadn't seen it in years.

@