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Cast
Marlene Dietrich
as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
John Lodge
as Count Alexei
Sam Jaffe
as Grand Duke Peter
Louise Dresser
as Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
C. Aubrey Smith
as Prince August
Gavin Gordon
as Capt. Gregori Orloff
Olive Tell
as Princess Johanna Elizabeth
Ruthelma Stevens
as Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'
Davison Clark
as Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope
Erville Alderson
as Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1934
Runtime1h 44m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresDrama, History, Romance
Votes143
DirectorJosef von Sternberg
WritersManuel Komroff, Eleanor McGeary
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.9 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsThe Scarlet Empress
About The Scarlet Empress
During the 18th century, German noblewoman Sophia Frederica, who would later become Catherine the Great, travels to Moscow to marry the dimwitted Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and Catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome Count Alexei, and bears a son. When the unstable Peter eventually ascends to the throne, Catherine plots to oust him from power.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg, The Scarlet Empress leans on a strong ensemble — Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge, Sam Jaffe — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1934.
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