Deaf Crocodile, in partnership with Seagull Films, is excited to announce the release of THE ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR on Blu-ray. Directed by Karen Shakhnazarov and starring Malcolm McDowell, this time-traveling historical mystery is receiving a stunning 2K restoration from Mosfilm and will be available for the first time ever on Blu-ray.

One of the most notable aspects of the film is Malcolm McDowell’s exceptional performance as Timofeyev, a patient in a Soviet mental hospital who is convinced he killed two Tsars: Alexander II in 1881 and Nicholas II in 1918. McDowell himself has expressed his admiration for Shakhnazarov and the project, stating, “It was an amazing experience, really, and something I will never forget. It stands out of all the movies I’ve done as one of the most interesting.”

A Fascinating Production

THE ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR was shot simultaneously in English and Russian-language versions on separate 35mm negatives. In addition to the standard edition, the limited edition slipcover version is also available for pre-order. Both versions are being released by Vinegar Syndrome, a partner of Deaf Crocodile.

• New 2K restoration of the English language version of the film (104 min.).
• New 2K restoration of the Russian language version of the film, featuring a slightly different cut and different music (102 min.).
• New hour-long video interview with lead actor Malcolm McDowell, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile Films.
• New hour-long video interview with director/co-writer Karen Shakhnazarov, moderated by Dennis Bartok.
• New commentary track by film historian Samm Deighan.
• New essay by film critic Walter Chaw (Film Freak Central).
• Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion.

The film was inspired by Shakhnazarov’s research in Soviet mental hospitals for an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s novella Ward No. 6, which ultimately fell through. The research inspired Shakhnazarov and co-writer Aleksandr Borodyanskiy to craft their own story of a patient in a Russian asylum haunted by ghosts from the past. Shakhnazarov explains, “The subject of the assassination of the Tsar was banned absolutely, and we knew very little about it. Any materials concerning this matter only began to appear only at the end of the perestroika period… Of course, the story of the assassination of the royal family is very dramatic, it’s a tragedy, and a very complex subject.”

With the release of THE ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR on Blu-ray, film lovers have the opportunity to experience this fascinating historical mystery for the first time ever in stunning 2K restoration from Mosfilm. Pre-orders for both the standard and limited edition slipcover versions are available now through Vinegar Syndrome.