Mikhail Zharov was a popular Russian actor who starred in silent films, and enjoyed a stellar career, until he fell under suspicion during the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin . He was born Mikhail Ivanovich Zharov on October 27, 1899, in Moscow, Russian Empire. His father was a printing press worker. Young Zharov was fond of theatre. In 1915, at the age of 16, Zharov was caught backstage while he was copying facial expressions and movements of the famous Russian opera actor Feodor Chaliapin Sr. . The administration could end Zharov's acting career, but Feodor Chaliapin Sr. himself asked Zharov to show what he was doing backstage, and was impressed with his acting skills, and encouraged young Zharov by presenting him with a signed photograph. From 1921-1925 he was a permanent member at the Theatre of Vsevolod Meyerhold . During the 1920s Zharov was also touring Russia with various troupes. From 1931-1938 he was a permanent member at Moscow Chamber Theatre of Alexander Tairov . In 1915, Zharov made his film debut in the silent film 'Ivan the Terrible' (1915). He played bit parts in several silent films during the 1920's. Zharov shot to fame after his role as gangster Zhigan in Putyovka v zhizn (1931). Zharov's popularity grew with his work for directors Grigori Kozintsev and Leonid Trauberg in the Maksim trilogy. In 1941, Zharov was award ed the Stalin's Prize for the supporting role as Menshikov in 'Conquests of Peter the Great. Parts One and Two'. He was award ed the second Stalin's Prize for his brilliant portrayal of the Russian historic figure Maluta Skuratov in Ivan Groznyy (1944), in which Zharov co-starred opposite Nikolai Cherkasov . From 1938-1981 Mikhail Zharov was a permanent member of the legendary troupe at Maly Academic Theatre in Moscow. There he worked on stage with such actors as Yelena Gogoleva , A. Yablochkina, Varvara Massalitinova , Varvara Ryzhova , Yevdokiya Turchaninova , Vera Pashennaya , Varvara Obukhova , Yelena Shatrova , Elina Bystritskaya , Rufina Nifontova , Tatyana Yeremeyeva , Aleksandr Yuzhin, Aleksandr Ostuzhev, Vladimir Davydov , Sergei Aidarov , Stepan Kuznetsov , Prov Sadovsky , Boris Ravenskikh, Boris Babochkin , Nikolai Annenkov , Mikhail Tsaryov , Igor Ilyinsky , Pavel Olenev , Mikhail Sadovsky , Konstantin Zubov , Viktor Khokhryakov , Vsevolod Aksyonov , Nikolai Ryzhov , Yevgeni Vesnik , Viktor Korshunov , Yevgeni Samojlov , Yuri Solomin , and many other notable Russian actors. Zharov's stage performances were admired by such contemporaries as Vsevolod Meyerhold , Konstantin Stanislavsky, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko , and Alexander Tairov , among many others. In 1952 Zharov's father-in-law was arrested on false accusations of a treason to kill Joseph Stalin . That plot was known as the "Doctors Affair" and was in fact designed by Joseph Stalin to intimidate the leading intellectuals of Russia. Mikhail Zharov's acting career was severely affected by the arrest of his father-in-law. Film directors were afraid to cast Zharov for several years after that. Theatre administration did not give him any new stage work. Zharov was made an outcast in the atmosphere of suspiciousness and political repressions during the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin . 15 years after the death of Stalin, Zharov made a successful comeback . He starred as Aniskin in the popular film-trilogy which he also directed. Mikhail Zharov was designated People's Actor of the USSR and Russia. He starred in more than 20 films and played over 100 stage roles. He passed away on December 15, 1981, and was laid to rest in Novodevichy Convent Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.
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.
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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.