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Scarlet Empress Reviews

1934

70
from 497 members

Of the two 1934 film versions of the life of Russia's Catherine the Great, Josef von Sternberg's The Scarlet Empress was the most opulent and exotic. Marlene Dietrich plays the German-born Catherine, who is required to marry Russia's mad Grand Duke Peter (Sam Jaffe, decked out in a Harpo Marx wig). As if her joke of a marriage .. Read more

Starring	Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge, Sam Jaffe, Louise Dresser
Director	Josef Von Sternberg
Genres	Drama

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Most helpful member's review of Scarlet Empress
View all members' reviews (8)
- - 3
  - 0
  Svengali and his Muse
  
  Josef von Sternberg directed Marlene Dietrich in 5 Hollywood movies in the 1930’s and they are all still worth watching today. If you want to see where it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 912910
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Zamy
  - 552 reviews
  - London
  - 09 Aug 2010 at 14:38
Most recent members' reviews of Scarlet Empress
View all members' reviews (8)
- - 1
  - 0
  baroque extravaganza
  
  luminous malrene dietrich leads in this baroque extravaganza.
  
  the undoubtable highlight is the art direction; bold and unrestrained, it turns the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1066806
- - lukasz84
  - 62 reviews
  - 25 Nov 2011 at 00:04
- - 1
  - 0
  Epic of it's day
  
  This film was unexpected. It shows really quality movie making for it's time. The budget must have been emmense, with over 1000 in the cast and dramatic ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1062802
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - emmabeebop
  - 6 reviews
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 01:43
- - 1
  - 1
  Fascinating Piece of Cinema History
  
  An intriguing look back at one of the first serious attempt at making historic films in the US. Because of this, I found the Bronx accents a little offputting ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 928925
- - Cato
  - 591 reviews
  - Lydbury North
  - 04 Oct 2010 at 19:09
- - 3
  - 0
  Svengali and his Muse
  
  Josef von Sternberg directed Marlene Dietrich in 5 Hollywood movies in the 1930’s and they are all still worth watching today. If you want to see where it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 912910
- - Zamy
  - 552 reviews
  - London
  - 09 Aug 2010 at 14:38
- - 1
  - 2
  Too dated
  
  I do love old movies but this was just too dated, even for my tastes. The acting is extremely hammy, the script is bizarre and the constant melodramatic music ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 810301
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Scarlett1977
  - 34 reviews
  - Shipley
  - 14 Sep 2009 at 10:19
- - 0
  - 1
  Interesting
  
  How acurate this was historically I don't know, but gave some insight.
  
  Report this review
- 787221
- - a customer
  - Scotland
  - 21 Jul 2009 at 20:37
- - 6
  - 7
  Misleading information
  
  Do not waste your time with this film. Although the cover showes a colour picture and it states it is re released, it is actually the original Black and White ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 724051
- - a customer
  - Sussex
  - 10 Mar 2009 at 22:31
- - 5
  - 6
  Enjoyable
  
  This is the story of Catherine the Great of Russia; it's strange, however, that despite being named 'The Scarlet Empress', it never actually shows ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 239026
- - Emma Welsby
  - Liverpool, UK
  - 30 Apr 2006 at 20:58
View all members' reviews (8)

- - 3
  - 0
  Svengali and his Muse
  
  Josef von Sternberg directed Marlene Dietrich in 5 Hollywood movies in the 1930’s and they are all still worth watching today. If you want to see where it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 912910
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Zamy
  - 552 reviews
  - London
  - 09 Aug 2010 at 14:38
- - 1
  - 0
  Epic of it's day
  
  This film was unexpected. It shows really quality movie making for it's time. The budget must have been emmense, with over 1000 in the cast and dramatic ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1062802
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - emmabeebop
  - 6 reviews
  - 15 Nov 2011 at 01:43
- - 1
  - 0
  baroque extravaganza
  
  luminous malrene dietrich leads in this baroque extravaganza.
  
  the undoubtable highlight is the art direction; bold and unrestrained, it turns the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1066806
- - lukasz84
  - 62 reviews
  - 25 Nov 2011 at 00:04
- - 1
  - 1
  Fascinating Piece of Cinema History
  
  An intriguing look back at one of the first serious attempt at making historic films in the US. Because of this, I found the Bronx accents a little offputting ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 928925
- - Cato
  - 591 reviews
  - Lydbury North
  - 04 Oct 2010 at 19:09
- - 0
  - 1
  Interesting
  
  How acurate this was historically I don't know, but gave some insight.
  
  Report this review
- 787221
- - a customer
  - Scotland
  - 21 Jul 2009 at 20:37
- - 1
  - 2
  Too dated
  
  I do love old movies but this was just too dated, even for my tastes. The acting is extremely hammy, the script is bizarre and the constant melodramatic music ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 810301
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Scarlett1977
  - 34 reviews
  - Shipley
  - 14 Sep 2009 at 10:19
- - 5
  - 6
  Enjoyable
  
  This is the story of Catherine the Great of Russia; it's strange, however, that despite being named 'The Scarlet Empress', it never actually shows ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 239026
- - Emma Welsby
  - Liverpool, UK
  - 30 Apr 2006 at 20:58
- - 6
  - 7
  Misleading information
  
  Do not waste your time with this film. Although the cover showes a colour picture and it states it is re released, it is actually the original Black and White ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 724051
- - a customer
  - Sussex
  - 10 Mar 2009 at 22:31

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Scarlet Empress
  
  Of the two 1934 film versions of the life of Russia's Catherine the Great, Josef von Sternberg's The Scarlet Empress was the most opulent and exotic. Marlene Dietrich plays the German-born Catherine, who is required to marry Russia's mad Grand Duke Peter (Sam Jaffe, decked out in a Harpo Marx wig). ...