Queen Christina (1933)

Queen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves.

Director:

Rouben Mamoulian

Writers:

H.M. Harwood (screen play), Salka Viertel (screen play)

Stars:

Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Greta Garbo	...	Christina
John Gilbert	...	Antonio
Ian Keith	...	Magnus
Lewis Stone	...	Oxenstierna
Elizabeth Young	...	Ebba
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Aage
Reginald Owen	...	Charles
Georges Renavent	...	French Ambassador
David Torrence	...	Archbishop
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	General (as Gustav Von Seyffertitz)
Ferdinand Munier	...	Innkeeper

Storyline

Queen Christina of Sweden is a dominant European ruler in the 17th century, and has never thought of romance. However, she accidentally and secretly falls in love with an emissary from Spain, even though a marriage between the two seems out of the question.

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Plot Keywords:

17th century | queen of sweden | f rated | character name as title | queen christina of sweden character | 

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Taglines:

The Romance of a Queen who remembered she was a woman! (Print Ad- Leader-Post, ((Regina, Sask.)) 13 March 1934)

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

An unlikely pre-Code film, as few historical dramas made their way into this genre, but co-scenarist Salka Viertel embroidered covert, historically-based lesbianism into the script, from Christina's mannish personal dress code to her wariness of marriage, determining to "die a bachelor." More overt is the Queen's relationship with Ebba, her lady in waiting. In their introductory exchange, following a passionate kiss on the mouth, Ebba begs for time alone with her, leading Christina to promise an extended vacation together ("just the two of us") as soon as matters of state allow. All of these scenes were prominently featured in The Celluloid Closet (1995).

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Goofs

Christina's musket pistol did not make a cloud of smoke.

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Quotes

Magnus: [embrace and kiss] It's been so long since I've seen you.
Christina: I saw you yesterday.
Magnus: To me that's long since.
Christina: I'm not an idle woman, Magnus. I have a war on my hands.

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Connections

Spoofed in Double or Nothing (1936)

User Reviews

Don't step on Greta Garbo/If you walk down the boulevard...

...She looks so weak and so frail That's why she tried to be so hard , But they turned her into a princess And they sat her on a throne, But she turned her back on stardom Because she wanted to be alone.

(Ray Davies,"Celluloid heroes" ,1972)

"Queen Christina" is my favorite Garbo movie and I must not be the only one to be fond of it."Queen Christina" is the story of the actress herself ;the queen abdicates as the star would do eight years later.Like the queen leaves her people weeping they cried a river over the star.

Christina is a modern character,ahead of her time,tired of war and who takes love over marriage of convenience ,who protects arts ,notably literature (funny how she loves Molière and his "Précieuses Ridicules" ).One should note that,even if it's not mentioned in the movie,she did come to France where she visited courtesan Ninon de Lenclos ,then imprisoned in a convent because of her "scandalous" life .

Like Garbo herself,she was a legend in her lifetime and

she would die an enigma to the word,like king of Bavaria ,Ludwig der Zweite ,who lived three centuries after her and who was a bit like her.

The scene at the inn has been plagiarized many times since.Garbo's androgynous beauty works wonders ."A handsome young lord such as you cannot sleep alone tonight,can he?" .Definitely not.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

9 February 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

Queen Christina

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,114,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 99 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1