The Scarlet Empress (Catherine the Great) (1934)

56 Pictures

7.7	Rating (88 ratings)
7.5	IMDB rating

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Directed by

Josef von Sternberg

Starring (View all)

Marlene Dietrich
Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

John Lodge
Count Alexei

Sam Jaffe
Grand Duke Peter

Louise Dresser
Empress Elizabeth Petrovna

C. Aubrey Smith
Prince August

Gavin Gordon
Capt. Gregori Orloff

Olive Tell
Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Ruthelma Stevens
Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Written by

Catherine II

Manuel Komroff
(diary arranged by)

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Reviews

The Blue Angel Rises

12 years, 1 month ago at Apr 20 22:02

Quote Unquote Sir

4 votes

This fast-paced historical drama feels like an origin story for Marlene Dietrich's screen persona. In it, she evolves plausibly from wide-eyed innocent to the self-assured stately presence of her later films. The extravagant costumes, sets, and direction compliment fun broad performances from a brash and flirtatious John Lodge and Sam Jaffe, seething with resentment behind his Cheshire cat grin.

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Description: Marlene Dietrich stars in Josef von Sternberg’s feverishly debauched biopic as the spoiled princess Sophia Frederica, who grows up being groomed for greatness and yearning for a handsome husband. Sent to Russia to marry the Grand Duke Peter, she is horrified to discover that her betrothed is a half-wit and her new home a macabre palace where depravity rules. Before long, however, she is initiated into the sadistic power politics that govern the court, paving the way for her transformation into the imperious libertine Catherine the Great. A lavish spectacle in which von Sternberg’s domineering visual genius reaches new height ... (more)

UPC: 715515011822

Tags: Drama (4), Russia (3), Betrayal (3), 1930s (3), 1934 (3), Royalty (3), Historical (2), Violinist (2), Dynasty (2), Empress (2), Espionage (1), Politics (1), History (1), Conspiracy (1), Romance (1), Torture (1), Intrigue (1), Prince (1), Love (1), Jealousy (1)

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Films Condemned by the Legion of Decency (75 movies items)

"Torture, insanity, and Catherine the Great (Marlene Dietrich) having one adulterous affair after another while waiting to take over Russia. "

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" ... and Marlene Dietrich"

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Elokuvat 2020 (530 movies items)

"Vastamunitun munan viattomuudella maailmaan suhtautuva Marlene kuskataan Venäjälle vajaamielisen prinssin astuttavaksi. Petipuuhia ei keharin kanssa kehkeydy, mutta hovikaartin kanssa kullikaruselli alkaa pyöriä niin kovilla kierroksilla ettei Haysin koodin implemetointi liene kaikunut Sternbergin korviin. Noin puolivälissä planssi ilmoittaa Katariina Suuren eli Marlenen hokanneen pelin hengen ja loppupätkän hän suhtautuukin maailmaan verevän vampin viattomuudella. Sternbergin Venäj"

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