Ninotchka (1939)
Average Rating: 8.3/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 1
With Greta Garbo proving her comedy chops in the twilight of her career, Ninotchka is a can't-miss classic.
Average Rating: 8.3/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 0
With Greta Garbo proving her comedy chops in the twilight of her career, Ninotchka is a can't-miss classic.
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Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 6,421
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Movie Info
"Garbo Laughs!" declared the ads for Ninotchka. In the face of dwindling foreign revenues, MGM decided to put Greta Garbo, a bigger draw in Europe than the US, in a box-office-savvy comedy, engaging the services of master farceur Ernst Lubitsch to direct. The film opens in Paris during the aftermath of the Russian revolution. A trio of Russian delegates (Sig Rumann, Felix Bressart, and Alexander Granach) are sent to Paris to sell the Imperial Jewels for ready cash. Grand Duchess Swana (Ina
Nov 3, 1939 Wide
Sep 6, 2005
Warner Bros. Pictures
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Cast
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Greta Garbo
Ninotchka -
Melvyn Douglas
Count Leon Dalga -
Ina Claire
Grand Duchess Swana -
Bela Lugosi
Commissar Razinin -
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Sig Rumann
Michael Iranoff -
Felix Bressart
Buljanoff -
Alexander Granach
Kopalski -
Gregory Gaye
Count Alexis Rakonin -
Rolfe Sedan
Hotel Manager -
Richard Carle
Gaston -
Dorothy Adams
Jacqueline Swana's Maid -
Monya Andre
Gossip -
Bess Flowers
Gossip -
Mary Forbes
Lady Lavenham -
Jo Gilbert
Streetcar Conductress -
Lawrence Grant
Gen. Saritsky -
William Irving
Bartender -
Charles Judels
Pere Mathieu Cafe Owner -
Armand Kaliz
Louis the Headwaiter -
Edwin Maxwell
Mercier -
Peggy Moran
French Maid -
Frank Reicher
Lawyer -
Harry Semels
Neighbor-Spy -
Tamara Shayne
Anna -
Florence Shirley
Marianne -
Edwin Stanley
Lawyer -
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George Tobias
Russian Visa Official -
Paul Weigel
Vladimir -
Elizabeth Williams
Indignant Woman -
Marek Windheim
Manager -
Wolfgang Zilzer
Taxi Driver -
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Alexander Schoenberg
Bearded Man -
Jenifer Gray
Cigarette Girl -
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George Davis
Porter
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Ninotchka Trailer & Photos
All Critics (30) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (1) | DVD (8)
This one is neither crude clowning nor crude prejudice, but a literate and knowingly directed satire which lands many a shrewd crack about phony Five Year Plans, collective farms, Communist jargon and pseudo-scientific gab.
Ninotchka is delicate flirtation and political satire made into a perfect whole, and a reminder of skills that studio writers have largely lost.
Selection of Ernst Lubitsch to pilot Garbo in her first light performance in pictures proves a bull's-eye.
The satire may be mostly a matter of easy contrasts, but the lovers inhabit a world of elegance and poise that is uniquely and movingly Lubitsch's.
It's still consistently amusing, and Garbo throws herself into the fray with engaging vigour.
Top CriticOne of the sprightliest comedies of the year.
This column has generally no quarrel with scene-to-scene entertainment, serving a legitimate demand for relaxation, though it adds up to nothing. But the entertaining gags of this picture add up to something, and it is not pleasant.
Iridescent and teaming with vitality, Garbo glows in her penultimate film.
Ninotchka stands as one of the finest films Lubitsch made. It was reportedly one of the director's own favorites among his films, and it's easy to see why.
Great, but kids may need historical context.
The masterpiece among Lubitsch's later films.
It's comedy is rooted in classic sentimentality, but the dialog is often hammer and sickle sharp.
It is a film that blends pratfalls and a sophisticated comedy of manners.
This was Garbo's first comedy and second last film. And it's a unique role for her, first because she starts off as a dour, cold comrade with no sense of humour, and second because she laughs herself into a love of capitalist vices.
It's Garbo's next-to-last film and first American comedy.
MGM announced to the world: Garbo Laughs! In a major departure from her screen image, Garbo brings incredibly sensual abandon to her role of a glum, scientifically trained Bolshevik envoy who succumbs to Parisian decadence of romance and champagne.
Garbo laughs ... and the rest of us revel in a comedy delight.
It's a delightful affair, full of sparkling wit and wisecracks. (Greta Garbo Signature Collection)
...thanks to Garbo, its supporting cast, and director Ernst Lubitsch's magic touch, it remains one of Hollywood's most sparkling products.
Audience Reviews for Ninotchka
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Ninotchka: If it's a choice between my personal interest and the good of my country how can I waiver? No one shall say Ninotchka was a bad Russian.
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- Russian Visa Official: Hello. Camrade Kasavi? Oh I'm sorry, he hasn't been with us for six months. He was called back to Russia and was investigated. You can get further details from his widow. You're very welcome.
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- Russian Visa Official: Well everything is in order. I hope you will enjoy your trip to Russia, Madame.
- Gossip: Thank you. Oh, by the way, I've heard so many rumors about laundry conditions in Russia. Is it advisable to take one's own towels?
- Russian Visa Official: Certainly not Madame. That is only capitalistic propaganda. We change the towel every week.
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- Ninotchka: No one can be so happy without being punished.
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- Grand Duchess Swana: Yes, you're quite right about the Cossacks. We made a great mistake when we let them use their whips. They had such reliable guns.
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- Ninotchka: Gentlemen, would you like to go out? Here are 50 Francs - bring me back 45.
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Foreign Titles
- Ninotchka (UK)
- Ninotchka (1939) (CA)

