Catherine the Great

1934

Catherine the Great (1934)

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

53%

liked it

Average Rating: 3.4/5

User Ratings: 41

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Movie Info

This historical drama recounts the events that led up to the rule of Russia's 18th-century Catherine the Great. Arriving from Germany as a young woman who is to wed Grand Duke Peter, she soon becomes caught up in the court intrigue and marries the lit-fuse duke. As the Grand Duke's mother lays dying, she relates her fears about her son's mental states, leaving Catherine to contend with his irrational and cruel behavior. When he goes too far with his antics, he is overthrown and put to death, though not by her wishes. Soon, however, Catherine is made the new Czaritza and restores order to her country. Elisabeth Bergner stars with Douglas Fairbanks in this British production.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama
Directed By:

Paul Czinner
Written By:

Arthur Wimperis, Marjorie Deans
In Theaters:

Jan 18, 1934 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

May 12, 2009
Runtime:

88 minutes
Studio:

Criterion Collection

Cast

Elisabeth Bergner
as Catherine

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
as Grand Duke Peter

Elizabeth Bergner

Gerald du Maurier
as Lecocq

Flora Robson
as Empress Elisabeth

Irene Vanbrugh
as Princess Anhalt-Zerbst

Griffith Jones
as Gregory Orlov

Joan Gardner
as Katuschenka

Dorothy Hale
as Countess Elizabeth

Gibb McLaughlin
as Bestujhev

Clifford Heatherley
as Ogarev

Lawrence Hanray
as Goudovitch

Allan Jeayes
as Col. Karnilov

Diana Napier
as Countess Elizabeth

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Critic Reviews for Catherine the Great

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (3)

In case you were wondering how Catherine the Great got that way, here is one version.

Jan 9, 2018 | Full Review…

Walter Goodman

New York Times

Top Critic

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…

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Truly flat historical drama. See The Scarlet Empress instead.

Feb 11, 2004 | Rating: 2/5