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Feature film — 1934

The Scarlet Empress (1934)

6.91h 44mDrama — 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.

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A high-signal pick with 151 votes.

Paramount Pictures

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Director: Josef von Sternberg

On screen

Cast & crew

Marlene Dietrich as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

Marlene Dietrich

Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

John Lodge as Count Alexei

John Lodge

Count Alexei

Sam Jaffe as Grand Duke Peter

Sam Jaffe

Grand Duke Peter

Louise Dresser as Empress Elizabeth Petrovna

Louise Dresser

Empress Elizabeth Petrovna

C. Aubrey Smith as Prince August

C. Aubrey Smith

Prince August

Gavin Gordon as Capt. Gregori Orloff

Gavin Gordon

Capt. Gregori Orloff

Olive Tell as Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Olive Tell

Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Ruthelma Stevens as Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Ruthelma Stevens

Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Davison Clark as Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope

Davison Clark

Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope

Erville Alderson as Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef

Erville Alderson

Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef

Maria Riva as Sophia as a Child

Maria Riva

Sophia as a Child

Jane Darwell as Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)

Jane Darwell

Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)

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