The Scarlet Empress

"The Reigning Beauty of the Screen!"

Sep 7 1934 Approved 1h 44m
Drama, History, Romance

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.

Plot

Young Princess Sophia of Germany is taken to Russia to marry the half-wit Grand Duke Peter, son of the Empress. The domineering Empress hopes to improve the royal blood line. Sophia doesn't like her husband, but she likes Russia, and is very fond of Russian soldiers. She dutifully produces a son -- of questionable fatherhood, but no one seems to mind that. After the old empress dies, Sophia engineers a coup d'etat with the aid of the military, does away with Peter, and becomes Catherine the Great.

Written by

Manuel Komroff, Eleanor McGeary

Directed by

Josef von Sternberg

Cast

Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge, Sam Jaffe

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Paramount

Languages

English

Awards

1 win.

Trailers
The Insanity of The Scarlett Empress (Marlene Dietrich)
Scores
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Average Rating
7.5 out of 10
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