The Mysterious Lady

Released Aug 4, 1928

1 hr. 36 min.

Drama

Romance

List

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Russian spy Tania Fedorova (Greta Garbo) uses her seductive charms to steal precious secrets for the motherland. Few saboteurs can compete with her skills, as her handler, Gen. Boris Alexandroff (Gustav von Seyffertitz), knows well. But Tania's career in espionage is jeopardized when she meets a handsome Austrian, Capt. Karl von Raden (Conrad Nagel), who's also her latest target. Will Tania sever her ties with her country, not to mention risk Alexandroff's wrath, in the name of love?

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Steve D

Strong story great cast worthy of a talkie remake.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Audience Member

A visually sumptuous film that is brought alive by screen icon Greta Garbo. The story of Russian Spy (Garbo) seducing an man of influence in the Austrian Army for strategic plans...the flip side is she falls in love with him. Despite the obvious cliche nature of the plot it's the beaming presence that Garbo has on screen the is truly electrifying. The film has terrific craft & clearly made with such finesse, the look of the film was impeccable. A must see for Garbo fans & in general is a very entertaining romance melodrama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Standard Garbo melodrama is overblown but entertaining if you're a fan. Greta is breathtaking, amazingly contemporary in appearance for a film that is almost 90 years old.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

awesome garbo vehicle

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

This movie seemed like the average romance plot where they're in love and they're spies during wartime so it's tragic. But it's not totally like that, it gets much better. They're high ranked and trusted by their respective countries, and there's another guy who loves Garbo's character. It's a very exciting romance movie, and I enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is rather silly, but enjoyable all the same. It uses the kind of histrionics specific to silent cinema.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Fred Niblo

Director

Greta Garbo

Tania Fedorova

Conrad Nagel

Karl von Raden

Gustave von Seyffertitz

General Boris Alexandroff

Edward Connelly

Colonel von Raden

Richard Alexander

General's Aide

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Variety Staff

Variety

Using up 83 minutes to unload this yarn is ridiculous.

Nov 12, 2007

Full Review

Robert E. Sherwood

LIFE

I recommend The Mysterious Lady highly, even to those who don't feel about Greta Garbo quite as I do.

Oct 5, 2021

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Garbo acquits herself well as the tortured lover.

Rated: B-

Aug 28, 2008

Full Review

Beth Accomando

KPBS.org

Garbo

Rated: 3/5

Jan 17, 2008

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Sep 21, 2005

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A fascinating, beautifully crafted film that never quite seems to know what it wants to be, but waffles about with such grace and style that you finally don't care.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 16, 2004

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Synopsis

Russian spy Tania Fedorova (Greta Garbo) uses her seductive charms to steal precious secrets for the motherland. Few saboteurs can compete with her skills, as her handler, Gen. Boris Alexandroff (Gustav von Seyffertitz), knows well. But Tania's career in espionage is jeopardized when she meets a handsome Austrian, Capt. Karl von Raden (Conrad Nagel), who's also her latest target. Will Tania sever her ties with her country, not to mention risk Alexandroff's wrath, in the name of love?

Director: Fred Niblo
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Drama, Romance
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1928, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2017

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