He was her "Nicky". She, his "Sunny" or "Alix". Yet their reign (1896-1917) was a tragic failure. They endured numerous family problems: Alexandra and Empress Marie detested each other; Alexandra's brothers, the Grand Dukes, always needed money; their son Alexis' hemophilia worried them greatly. The couple's attitudes, formed in the 19th century, were ill-suited for the 20th. Distant in public, Alexandra was very emotional in private -- especially in her belief that the Tsar rule with an iron fist. Nicholas was passive. "It is God's will," he'd often say when faced with a difficult decision. Then he'd let events, (often acting on Rasputin's advice)-- dictate the outcome. Though they watched movies, used phones and drove cars (the Tsar was particularily attached to his Mercedes), the imperial couple resisted giving Russia the freedoms such technologies nurtured. Such strong towards, and remoteness from a modernizing Russia, destroyed them literally with murder. The Romanov family was the last royal imperial family,..from the 1600's till the early 1900's.

Upcoming Romanov Movie!

Yes! There's going to be an upcoming movie on the Romanovs! My webpartner M.S. spoke with Aaron Glaeser. The company is Dynasty Productions. They are currently working on their first motion picture along with Freshman Motion Pictures(New Line) and Kennedy/Marshall Productions(Paramount). The film is called "Crown of Blood". It will be filming in May, 1999. Mr. Glaeser is the writer/star/associate producer of the film. It's about the life of Alexei, told through the eyes of his tutor, Pierre Gilliard. Should be out in theatres, Spring 2000. You can visit Mr. Glaeser's wonderful Alexei Romanov site (best I've seen)!

So who will be playing young Alexei Romanov in this upcoming movie?

Well it turns out that Jake Lloyd the young boy who played Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" will play Alexei in "Crown of Blood". This was accidentally discovered when I (Marie) was surfing thru IMBD's actors/actresses database! And it specifically lists that Jake Lloyd is Alexei Romanov in the movie! Check it out for yourself if you dont believe me! He will only play Alexei from ages 8-10. As for Alexei ages 11-13 Ryan Merriman will be taking over the role. He was recently in a Disney original movie called "Smart House" and played the lead kid role in the movie.

So who will be playing the rest of the characters?

Up to now I am only certain on Alexei Romanov BUT I did find out who will play Nicholas II, and Grand Duke Dmitri! The talented Christopher Walken will be playing the role of Nicholas II Romanov. He has been in such films as "Mouse Hunt" "Pulp Fiction" "Nick of Time" "Prophecy" and "Batman Returns". And Mr. Aaron Glaeser who informed me of the movie itself will play Grand Duke Dimitri!