Notice how Telly stabbed and shot the alien three times when it was in the inspector's body? Maybe that was an allusion to Rasputin, whom they say was stabbed, and shot several times before dying, demonstrating some paranormal stamina
"At the end of life, we will be judged by love" ST John of the Cross

Watched for the first time on Halloween and immediately thought Pujardov looked like Rasputin but never occurred to me he might actually be Rasputin.

My thoughts exactly!!! So much so that I was expecting him to escape and then be introduced to the royal family as Rasputin,end of scene, The End. It would have been kind of cool, I think.

Do we know for a fact that Pujardov died in the trainwreck?
Because IF he had survived, he could conceivably assume the persona of that we know as Rasputin in 1916, thus adding substance to the strange legend surrounding him.
Perhaps reading the novel the movie is based on can answer this question?

Rasputin was a popular figure for a while and if there were Russians in a supernatural film then there was a small chance that one would either be called Rasputin, or be a nod to him.
And it may be an odd nod or in-joke to Christopher Lee, who played Rasputin in a previous Hammer film.
In the movie it is obviously not Rasputin, just a odd Russian monk in a simmilar theme. Rasputin was alive to 1916 whereas Pujardov expired 1906.

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Ha I thought he looked like Robert DeNiro as well. If you want to see Telly Savalas whip Robert DeNiro this is the closest you get to it. It is clearly based on Rasputin since he travels with Russian or Polish nobles and they call him the mad monk at one point.

Rasputin eh? Gosh, I wonder

Robert De Niro? I thought of Terry Jones (Monty Phytons) through the whole film! Funny supposition about him becoming the mad monk Good film that one too, with the guy from "Follow Me", the BBC english classes.

I thought he looked like robert de niro.

it would fit as the "alien" was moving from person to person, in a quest to gain more knowledge. What better position to be in than in a body that became an "advisor" to royalty. Access to high society, and the latest scientific advancements of the time.

I was about 12 when I saw this the first time, and I IMMEDIATELY said to myself, "RASPUTIN!!". I even thought that's who it was!
I'd have to say that, because of his behaviour AND his appearence, there is a definite reference.religeous hysteria, grasping for power, attachment to royalty, etc. There's no doubt in my mind that this is a carbon copy of Rasputin, and even used as a metaphor for this kind of person; all too ready to 'serve satan' and appear holy, i.e. jim jones, p'hol pott, or david koresh for that matter.

There seems to be the posibility at least.

I'm sure they will have the monk say his name at the end and that name will be Rasputin.

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I share your suspicion, and the film seemed to be teasing with that idea. Didn't you get the feeling that the possessed monk might still be "alive" when the film ended? Perhaps he wandered to St. Petersburg and found himself some prominent employment.

Was wondering the same blade. Definitely looked like a similar character.
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