NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray (May 2023): Deaf Crocodile have transferred Karen Shakhnazarov's The Assassin of the Tsar to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New restoration from original 35mm elements by Mosfilm". Deaf Crocodile include both the English language version and the slightly shorter Russian language version of The Assassin of the Tsar with a different edit and score. They share a dual-layered Blu-ray. It is in the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio and looks excellent with the Russian version being a notch below in terms of image quality. The 1080P is remarkably clear with true colors and a consistent texture. 

NOTE: We have added 51 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Deaf Crocodile use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the English (Dubbed over the Russian actors) and the other version in the Russian language. The Assassin of the Tsar has instances of strong violence that come through with effective depth. The scores are by John Altman (Shooting Stars) on the English version and Vladislav Shoot - "The Ship"(1988), "Revenge" (1989), "The Red Flute"(1990) - the Russian-British composer of contemporary classical music, on the Russian version. NOTE: Malcolm McDowell pretended to speak Russian in the alt-version and was later dubbed. The Russian version may have slightly scattered dialogue by comparison but overall both tracks are adept in the lossless transfer. Deaf Crocodile offer optional English subtitles for both versions, on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Deaf Crocodile Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film writer and historian Samm Deighan on the English-language eversion. She talks about The Assassin of the Tsar being example of distinctly late Soviet cinema, the two versions, memory, identity, drama... how people are haunted, often traumatized and maybe even obsessed by historical events, Oleg Yankovskiy being an actor in Tarkovsky films, director Karen Shakhnazarov, a lot on Soviet history and the Russian Imperial family etc. It's extensively researched and I always enjoy her astute observations. There is an, almost hour-long, new interview with star Malcolm McDowell by Dennis Bartok who follows up with over an hour with director Karen Shakhnazarov. Great questions, fascinating answers and rich discussions on Soviet cinema and memories of making The Assassin of the Tsar. The package includes an 8-page liner notes essay by film critic and historian Walter Chaw.

Karen Shakhnazarov's The Assassin of the Tsar is a fascinating film with two separate characters whose bodies develop psychosomatic wounds. Malcolm McDowell plays Timofyev - a patient in an asylum who believes that he is responsible for murdering Tsar Alexander II in 1881, and his grandson Tsar Nicholas II 37-years later. Russian cinema fans will recognize Oleg Yankovskiy from Tarkovsky's Nostalghia and Mirror. Deaf Crocodile are the 'real deal' and we should cover more of their excellent catalog. I thoroughly enjoyed this Blu-ray of such a unique, historical film with aspects of delusion, obsession, philosophy, shared outcomes, political turmoil, and various perceptions of truth. The package add further value with a fabulous commentary and hours of interviews. Wow! Strongly recommended!

Gary Tooze