We both grew up with this movie and have strong feelings about it – so it was interesting to investigate it with a historian’s eye! Below, a few resources for further reading:
*This (as always) excellent three-part Lucy Worsley documentary gave us a good overview of the Romanov dynasty.
*This article from the Migration Policy Institute outlines the challenges that Anya, Dimitri, and Vlad would have faced leaving Soviet Russia (besides their brilliant plan to walk at least halfway to Paris).
*Learn more about Rasputin’s outsized influence on the Tsar and his family – and about his ultimate end – from Smithsonian.
*Ogle the movie’s famous tiaras (or at least a replica of one) here and here.
Season 3, Episode 1: "Gladiator" (2000) – Costume Drama Rewind
Welcome to season three of Costume Drama Rewind! We’re back with a movie historians love to hate. Released in 2000, Gladiator was directed by Ridley Scott and stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, a hologram of Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, and DUMBLEDORE!
Costume Drama Rewind 