The Scarlet Empress

Directed by Josef von Sternberg
Passed
1934    1h 44mHistory, Drama,
7.586%85%
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.

Where to Watch The Scarlet Empress

Cast of The Scarlet Empress

  • Marlene DietrichPrincess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
  • John LodgeCount Alexei
  • Sam JaffeGrand Duke Peter
  • Louise DresserEmpress Elizabeth Petrovna
  • C. Aubrey SmithPrince August
  • Gavin GordonCapt. Gregori Orloff
  • Olive TellPrincess Johanna Elizabeth
  • Ruthelma StevensCountess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'
  • Davison ClarkArchimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope
  • Erville AldersonChancelor Alexei Bestuchef
  • Maria RivaSophia as a Child
  • Jane DarwellMiss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)
  • Edward Van SloanHerr Wagner (uncredited)
  • Akim TamiroffBit Part (uncredited)
  • Marie Wells
  • Eric Alden
  • Elinor Fair
  • Julanne Johnston
  • Agnes Steele
  • Philip Sleeman
  • Hans Heinrich von Twardowski
  • Gerald Fielding
  • Richard Alexander
  • Nadine Beresford
  • Hal Boyer
  • James Burke
  • John Davidson
  • George Davis
  • Anna Duncan
  • May Foster
  • Ivan Linow
  • James A. Marcus
  • Eunice Murdock Moore
  • Patricia Patrick
  • Warner Richmond
  • Blanche Rose
  • Katherine Sabichi
  • Sam Savitsky
  • Dina Smirnova
  • Minnie Steele
  • Belle Stoddard
  • Kent Taylor
  • Jameson Thomas
  • Bruce Warren
  • Leo White
  • Harry Woods
  • Josef von SternbergDirector / Producer
  • Manuel KomroffWriter
  • Eleanor McGearyWriter

The Scarlet Empress Ratings & Reviews

  • Tyler SMay 29, 2025
    For all the elegance and style used by Sternberg here what makes this movie work for me is Marlene Dietrich, she's one of those actress's I can just stare at and be happy, she was a star that had a screen presence that completely commands your attention (Sternberg clearly knew this, half the runtime is her framed beautifully in close-up). As for the plot, it doesn't really draw you in until the halfway point and gets surprisingly horny, you can tell this was a Pre Code film. Worth checking out for Dietrich with a side bonus of some extravagant costumes, set designs and some creepy as hell gargoyle statues. 👍 6.5/10

 

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