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Catherine the Great

Play trailer Poster for Catherine the Great 1934 1h 34m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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57% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The woman who will become Catherine the Great (Elisabeth Bergner) marries into the Russian royal family when she weds Grand Duke Peter (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), the nephew of Empress Elizabeth (Flora Robson). Although the couple has moments of contentment, Peter's cruel and erratic behavior causes a rift between him and Catherine. Mere months after Peter succeeds his aunt as the ruler of Russia, a revolt is brewing, and Catherine is poised to ascend to the throne as the country's new empress.

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Catherine the Great

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Otis Ferguson The New Republic On the whole, I am thankful for Catherine the Great. Whatever its shortcomings, it represents genuine entertainment compared to Hollywood's choices in the past weeks. Jan 22, 2024 Full Review Walter Goodman New York Times In case you were wondering how Catherine the Great got that way, here is one version. Jan 10, 2018 Full Review Paul Rotha Cinema Quarterly It is polished; it is artificial; and it is theatrical in treatment. But if you are tolerantly disposed towards romantic costume pictures, the insignificance of all this pomp and petulance will not arise to disturb your entertainment. Feb 3, 2021 Full Review Helen Brown Norden Vanity Fair Miss Bergner, small and appealing, with the face of an eager child and bright, dark eyes, is superb as Catherine. She has one of the most beautiful voices yet heard in the films; even when she speaks in whispers, her words are distinct and moving. May 31, 2019 Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin Elizabeth Bergner gives a brilliant performance as Catherine of Russia. The picture is produced on a lavish scale, and settings and photography are excellent. Feb 8, 2018 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 May 31, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member A decent, fun depiction, but not as strong as "The Scarlet Empress." Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member I know painfully little of Russian history and this film did little to rectify that. Great performances. More ribaldry from the Kordas and London Films. Recommended lightly. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member good historical drama all star cast Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Not a great film, not a bad film, just good, with Doug Fairbanks, Jr delivering a riveting performance, and with some wonderful sets to boot. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Catherine the Great

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The woman who will become Catherine the Great (Elisabeth Bergner) marries into the Russian royal family when she weds Grand Duke Peter (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), the nephew of Empress Elizabeth (Flora Robson). Although the couple has moments of contentment, Peter's cruel and erratic behavior causes a rift between him and Catherine. Mere months after Peter succeeds his aunt as the ruler of Russia, a revolt is brewing, and Catherine is poised to ascend to the throne as the country's new empress.
Director
Paul Czinner
Producer
Alexander Korda
Screenwriter
Lajos Biró, Arthur Wimperis, Melchior Lengyel
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 15, 2020
Runtime
1h 34m
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