Ivan Groznyy (1944)
In 1547, Ivan IV (1530-1584), archduke of Moscow, crowns himself Tsar of
Russia and sets about reclaiming lost Russian territory. In scenes of his
coronation, his wedding to Anastasia, his campaign against the Tartars in
Kazan, his illness when all think he will die, recovery, campaigns in the
Baltic and Crimea, self-imposed exile in Alexandrov, and the petition of
Muscovites that he return, his enemies among the boyars threaten his
success. Chief among them are his aunt, who wants to advance the fortunes
of her son, a simpleton, and Kurbsky, a warrior prince who wants both
power and the hand of Anastasia. Ivan deftly plays to the people to
consolidate his power.

Ivan Groznyy II: Boyarsky zagovor (1958)
His wife dead from poisoning and his chief warrior, Kurbsky, defected to the
Poles, Ivan is lonely as he pursues a unified Russia with no foreign
occupiers. Needing friendship, he brings to court Kolychev, now Philip the
monk, and makes him metropolitan bishop of Moscow. Philip, however,
takes his cues from the boyars and tries to bend Ivan to the will of the
church. Ivan faces down Philip and lets loose his private force, the
Oprichniks, on the boyars. Led by the Tsar's aunt, Euphrosyne, the boyers
plot to assassinate Ivan and enthrone her son, Vladimir. At a banquet, Ivan
mockingly crowns Vladimir and sends him in royal robes into the cathedral
where the assassin awaits.