Plot synopsis

We are in the days of the reign of Tsar Ivan Vassilievich the Terrible. Boyar Vorotinsky loudly expresses his dissatisfaction with the prevailing iniquity. Many, deep down, agree with the boyar, except Maliouta who hates him and dreams of taking revenge on him. By bitter words of bashing, he gets Ivan the Terrible to order him arrested. Vorotinsky will complain to the tsarina Anna, his adopted daughter. Sensitive to her complaints, the tsarina went to find Ivan the Terrible to obtain Vorotinsky's pardon. With all his suite, she implores him to forgive Vorotinsky, but the Tsar, captivated by the beautiful Vassilissa, gives an evasive answer. Vassilissa realizes the Tsar's disturbance and in her head immediately appears a diabolical plan. Using her ascendancy over her lover Kolytchev, she persuades him to poison the Czarina in order to take her place.