Nicholas and Alexandra

Tsar Nicholas is warned by the Prime Minister Count Witte and his cousin Grand Duke Nicholas that the war is futile and costing too many lives. The Tsarina Alexandra, a German princess, is disliked by the Russian royal court. She befriends Rasputin, a Siberian peasant passing as a holy man, hoping he will heal Alexei. Alexandra demands his return, but Nicholas stands firm in his decision. World War I begins a few weeks after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.