Nicholas and Alexandra is a 1971 autobiographical film that chronicles the tumultuous period in Russian politics when Tsar Nicholas (Michael Jayston) is warned that the Russo-Japanese War is futile. Despite the Russian people wanting health care, voting rights, and a representative government, Nicholas ignores the advice. Meanwhile Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky have all formed underground political parties in opposition to Tsar Nicholas' autocracy. The film then chronicles the Bloody Sunday massacre outside of the Winter Palace, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the beginning of World War I, the rise of Rasputin, and the Tsarina Alexandra in her position in government. The film won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, and was nominated for Best Actress, Cinematography, Music, and Best Picture. Also starring Janet Suzman, Roderic Noble, Ania Marson, Candace Glendenning, Lynne Frederick, Harry Andrews, and Tom Baker, Nicholas and Alexandra was adapted from the book of the same name by author Franklin J. Schaffner.moreless