“Catherine the Great” (also titled “The Rise of Catherine the Great”) is a 1934 British historical film based on the play The Czarina by Lajos Biró and Melchior Lengyel, about the rise to power of Catherine the Great. It was directed by Paul Czinner, and stars Elisabeth Bergner as Catherine, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as Grand Duke Peter, Dorothy Hale as Countess Olga, and Flora Robson as Empress Elizabeth.
This historical drama recounts the events that led to the accession of Catherine the Great, Empress of all the Russias. The film opens with the arrival of Princess Sophie Auguste Frederika — whose name would be changed to ‘Catherine’ — from her father’s court of Anhalt-Zerbst (in modern Germany) to the court of the Empress Elizabeth. “Little Catherine” is to marry the Grand Duke Peter, nephew and heir apparent of the unmarried and childless Empress Elizabeth. Peter already displays signs of mental instability and a sharply misogynist streak. He rejects Catherine on their wedding night, reacting to something innocently said by his French valet, claiming that she used feminine tricks to win him over. In time though, Peter accepts her and they have a happy marriage for a while. Meanwhile, Catherine gains important experience of government from working as principal aide to the empress.
The empress dies and Peter becomes tsar, but his mental illness is starting to get the better of him, along with sheer boredom in the job. Catherine still loves him despite beginning a very public love affair with one of her best friends — until one night when Peter goes one step too far in publicly humiliating his wife. She ceases to love him, which enables her to be clear-headed in supporting a planned coup d’état. The following morning, he is arrested and Catherine is made Empress of All the Russias. The elevation is marred by Peter’s murder that very morning, contrary to Catherine’s command. Grigory Orlov explains that everything has a price, and the crown has the highest price of all. The film ends, with Catherine in tears on her throne, while the cheers of the crowds are heard outside.
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Directed by Paul Czinner, produced by Alexander Korda and Ludovico Toeplitz, written by Marjorie Deans and Arthur Wimperis, narrated by Alexander Kerensky, starring Elisabeth Bergner, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Flora Robson.
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Source: “The Rise of Catherine the Great” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.. 21 June 2012. Web. 17 July 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rise_of_Catherine_the_Great.
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Thank you for sharing this, I just loved film but was so disappointed that the very last few minutes were missing and a stupid set of adverts were played instead. I will definately never use Compare the market because of this.
I love that handsome and daring Grigory Orlov is Cymraeg! (Welsh) Iawn iawn!
The last few minutes are missing and in their place are a number adverts.
I will definitely never use Compare the market because of this.
Thanks…
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!! What happened to the end of the move???
this is a beautifully done piece of propaganda……one of my favs.
Disappointed last couple of minutes are missing, stopped right at the dramatic point Catherine learns of Peter's death. I didn't have any ads, like others have mentioned, it just went black. Luckily I was able to find two full copies.
Good film, despite inaccuracies. Flora Robson as Empresz Elizabeth has some wonderful lines. Loved the innuendo she put into the "No, but I fee-eeel like a bride.
This is not only inaccurate, but sexist.