Viva La Vida – The Romanovs

It’s the 106th anniversary of the murder of the Romanov family – Tsar Nicholas II, Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodovnora, Tsarevich Alexei, and Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia.

The seven members of Russia’s last Imperial family were shot and bayoneted to death by their Bolshevik captors in the cellar of the “House of Special Purpose” in Ekaterinburg in the early hours of July 17, 1918.

Also murdered were four members of the Romanov household – lady-in-waiting Anna Demidova, footman Alexei Trupp, cook Ivan Kharitonov, and court physician, Eugene Botkin.

As I’ve noted previously, I’ve long been fascinated by the Romanovs and their tragic story. Just to be clear: it’s the human story of Nicholas, Alexandra, and their family that I’m drawn to, not any aspect of the horrendous autocratic system that Nicholas presided over. It was a system that indeed needed to go. I lament, though, that its downfall involved the brutal murder of the deposed Romanov family and their servants. I just can’t see any justification for that.

Above: The Romanov family and their physician imprisoned in the “House of Special Purpose” in Ekaterinburg, as depicted in Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1971 film Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above and below: Michael Jayston as Nicholas and Janet Suzman as Alexandra in Nicholas and Alexandra. These screenshots are from the scene in the film when the Romanovs arrive in Ekaterinburg. (For Joey Gentile’s 2022 interview with Dame Janet Suzman on “50 Years of Nicholas and Alexandra,” click here.)

Above: The Romanov family as depicted before the Russian Revolution in Nicholas and Alexandra.

In marking this year’s anniversary of the Romanov murders, I share an artfully put-together video that combines Coldplay’s 2008 song “Viva La Vida” with clips from the 1971 film Nicholas and Alexandra, which in my opinion is still the best film out there about the fall of the Romanov dynasty.

“GrandDuchess518,” the creator of this video, says that “‘Viva La Vida’ speaks to me about how the Romanovs (Nicholas especially) were feeling during the last two years of their lives.”

Interestingly, the song does have a connection to a doomed monarch, though not a Russian one. For as Jaebin Yoo reminds us, “Viva la Vida” is a retelling of the French Revolution and the death of King Louis XVI. As I think you’ll agree, the song also ties in well with the story of the last Russian Tsar.

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies’ eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
One minute, I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin’
Roman Cavalry choirs are singin’
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can’t explain
Once you’d gone, there was never,
never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn’t believe what I’d become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Aw, who would ever wanna be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringin’
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason, I can’t explain
I know Saint Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra, alternative movie poster artwork (mixed media on paper on board with cutout board, 1971). Notes The Illustrated Gallery: “This beautifully composed painting was created by Ted CoConis as poster art for the Academy Award-winning film Nicholas and Alexandra (Columbia Pictures). CoConis’ unique psychedelic montage style, which made him one of the most desirable artists in his field, is very well represented in this piece done at the peak of his career.”

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• Remembering the Romanovs
• Remembering Olga Nikolaevna and Her Sisters
• The Tragedy of the Romanovs, 100 Years On
• Yes, the Children Too

Related Off-site Links:
The Legacy of the Romanovs: How Is the Last Russian Royal Family Remembered in Russia? – Helen Rappaport (HistoryExtra.com, July 16, 2018).
DNA Analysis Confirms Authenticity of Romanovs’ Remains – Brigit Katz (Smithsonian Magazine, July 17, 2018).
Inside the Romanov Family's Final Days – Caroline Hallemann (Town and Country, July 1, 2018).
The Race to Save the Romanovs and How It Fell Apart – Bob Ruggiero (Houston Press, July 11, 2018).
How the Royal Houses of Europe Abandoned the Romanovs – Helen Rappaport (The Economist, June 28, 2018).