ivan the terrible be more a filmed stage play than a big screen opus . citizen kane a similar work in many way be quite the opposite ( in the way we come to expect such fare ) in that it have lot of location shoot for example . acting be mean to convey a character motivation and think to the audience while if it succeed in make you understand the character and what do it matter how it be do . and consider the low amount of action and how else be one to express event that influence the story and and consequently the character machination and decision other than exaggerated movement . as well and there a historical level why the acting style should not surprise . the rise of totalitarian regime in germany and ussr force film maker who stay behind to make film the way they know how . a they be prevent access to more modern work that show cinema evolution and technique and they only use what they know . the nazi control of government in germany destroy the great german film industry of the 1920 and due to their total control over that film industry . and propaganda film can only entertain german troop so much while hence the need for popular german silent film of the 1920 and for example . so a lot of ivan the terrible film technique would have be derive from such captured german film supply to the film crew ( a mention in other comment ) . there be no confusion anywhere and though personally it be find over hyped and it be by no mean a bad cinematic experience and definitely not amongst the bad film ever . the acting be fine and and part of the cinematography excellent ( even by today standard while more below ) . definitely not a popcorn flick while one can not leave their brain outside this one door . date perhaps and very symbolic only worth watch on the big screen if one be unable to view the film with the light off at home and for many of the cinematic element will be lose in these film chiefly b and w experience . it all depend upon what expectation one walk in with . warn spoiler represent do not read the following comment and in case they influence your personal view of the film ( s ) . and if one do not mind the obvious communist propaganda ( a oppose to capitalist propaganda ) . for ivan be how stalin saw himself obvious in his influence on the film direction ( see other comment ) and anyone with a world historical awareness outside the u perspective will definitely understand this . maybe ivan be an early incarnation of stalin and or maybe not while this be more a diatribe on stalin and his motivation and decision and loneliness and promotion of lackey and etc use the persona of ivan than any true historical record of ivan . also note the obvious use of particular colour in the sequel represent red ( for the ussr ) in the banquet scene . and perhaps blue ( for the usa ) during certain shot when the usurper wear the crown . but it have many excellent visuals such a the profound use of shadow and or the exterior shot of the populace come to beg ivan return to moscow .