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Actors: Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge, Sam Jaffe, Louise Dresser
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Scarlet Empress |
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THE SCARLET EMPRESS is a movie directed by Josef von Sternberg in 1934.
The young princess Sophia Frederica of Prussia has been chosen by the Tsarina Elizabeth to become the wife of the Grand Duke Peter. Sophia arrives in Moscow with the romantic hope to marry the Prince Charming but Peter is a half-wit fiancé who prefers to play with his toys rather than to charm the unfortunate Sophia.
The Tsarina is a domineering woman who forces Sophia to change her name to a more Russian one : Catherine. The young Grand Duchess Catherine quickly understands that she won't be let in peace before having given an heir to the Russian throne. An officer of the guard will replace Peter in Catherine's bed and, nine months later, she'll give birth to a son.
During the next months, Catherine, who becomes tougher every day, observes carefully the customs of this decadent court because she knows that she'll be in danger as soon as the Empress Elizabeth dies. When the old Tsarina passes over, Catherine will have then already seduced the higher officers of the Russian army who'll help her to overthrow Peter.
THE SCARLET EMPRESS is a superb portrait of a woman, immersed in a semi-barbarian world, who learns very quickly the way to manipulate the right people at the right time. It's also a unique performance of Marlene Dietrich who haunts with a tremendous presence the frenzied sets created by Von Sternberg.
--Daniel Staebler, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The Scarlet Empress |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 18th century
Job/Profession/Poverty Story?
Yes
Job:
- prince/king/queen/knight
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Culture of surrounding area:
- Russian
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- deluded
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn curly
Body type
- (woman) average
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- German
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair style
- (man) long girliemon hair
Body type
- (man) muscular
How much in movie?
- 80%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Russian
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Eccentric:
Yes
- mentally ill
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 60%
Hair type
- (man) long girliemon hair
Body type
- (man) average
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Russian
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Retarded
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- Eastern Europe
Misc setting
- castle
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- thoughtful
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
Check here if B&W
Yes
Any profanity?
- None
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Orchestra/classical
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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