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The Rise of Catherine the Great

  • 1934
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
799
YOUR RATING
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Elisabeth Bergner in The Rise of Catherine the Great (1934)
Costume DramaPeriod DramaBiographyDramaHistory

Straightforward biography of the Russian Empress, up to her assumption of the throne.Straightforward biography of the Russian Empress, up to her assumption of the throne.Straightforward biography of the Russian Empress, up to her assumption of the throne.

  • Directors
    • Paul Czinner
    • Alexander Korda
  • Writers
    • Lajos Biró
    • Arthur Wimperis
    • Melchior Lengyel
  • Stars
    • Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
    • Elisabeth Bergner
    • Flora Robson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    799
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Paul Czinner
      • Alexander Korda
    • Writers
      • Lajos Biró
      • Arthur Wimperis
      • Melchior Lengyel
    • Stars
      • Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
      • Elisabeth Bergner
      • Flora Robson
    • 22User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Photos25

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
    Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
    • Grand Duke Peter
    • (as Douglas Fairbanks Jnr.)
    Elisabeth Bergner
    Elisabeth Bergner
    • Catherine
    Flora Robson
    Flora Robson
    • Empress Elisabeth
    Gerald du Maurier
    Gerald du Maurier
    • Lecocq
    Irene Vanbrugh
    Irene Vanbrugh
    • Princess Anhalt-Zerbst
    Joan Gardner
    Joan Gardner
    • Katushienka
    Dorothy Hale
    • Countess Olga
    Diana Napier
    Diana Napier
    • Countess Vorontzova
    Griffith Jones
    Griffith Jones
    • Grigory Orlov
    Gibb McLaughlin
    Gibb McLaughlin
    • Bestujhev
    • (as Gibb Maclaughlin)
    Clifford Heatherley
    Clifford Heatherley
    • Ogarev
    Lawrence Hanray
    Lawrence Hanray
    • Goudovitch
    Allan Jeayes
    Allan Jeayes
    • Colonel Karnilov
    Charles Carson
    Charles Carson
    • English Ambassador
    • (uncredited)
    Heron Carvic
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Stewart Granger
    Stewart Granger
    • Regiment Soldier
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    William Heughan
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Judy Kelly
    Judy Kelly
    • Guest at Hunting Lodge
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Paul Czinner
      • Alexander Korda
    • Writers
      • Lajos Biró
      • Arthur Wimperis
      • Melchior Lengyel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At the time of its U.S. re-release in 1947, this movie was most frequently paired in second position on a double bill topped by the re-release of The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933).
    • Goofs
      When Peter marries Catherine in a Russian Orthodox service, they respond to the the lines "Do you take this man/woman to be your lawful wedded husband/wife... until death do you part?" These lines are not part of a traditional Orthodox service. The bride and groom usually do not say anything during the service.
    • Quotes

      Catherine: Officer! Officer! Please show me the way out.

      Grand Duke Peter: Out of where?

      Catherine: Out of the palace! Out of the town! Out of the whole barbarian country!

      Grand Duke Peter: What's happened?

      Catherine: He insulted me!

      Grand Duke Peter: Who?

      Catherine: The Grand Duke Peter.

      Grand Duke Peter: Oh, that fellow.

      Catherine: You know him?

      Grand Duke Peter: Oh, yes, I know him.

      Catherine: Oh, then perhaps you know why he refuses to marry me... why he refuses even to see me.

      Grand Duke Peter: Well... well, perhaps they suggested some other German princesses to him. Maybe... maybe he prefers one of them.

      Catherine: Which one?

      Grand Duke Peter: Well, there's the, uh, Mecklenburg princess.

      Catherine: Oh, that's impossible!

      Grand Duke Peter: Why?

      Catherine: Because she has a cavalier moustache and rabbit's teeth.

      Grand Duke Peter: Well, then there's the, uh, the Oldenburg princess.

      Catherine: Which one? Which one? There are four. Oh, old maids! I know them all. I tell you I'm far the best, and far the prettiest too.

    • Crazy credits
      Openng credits prologue: RUSSIA 1745

      THE HUNTING LODGE OF GRAND DUKE PETER, HEIR TO THE THRONE.
    • Connections
      Featured in How to Stage a Coup (2017)

    User reviews22

    Featured review
    6/10

    High production value Hollywood history

    The alternative title "The Rise of Catherine the Great" is much more accurate since the picture ends with her getting the throne.

    The costumes and sets are Grade A Hollywood (compliment).

    Flora Robson (Empress Elisabeth) has the best lines and delivers them impressively. Elisabeth Bergner (Catherine) does well in her scenes with the Empress. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (Grand Duke Peter) seems out of his depth.
    • psteier
    • Feb 21, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 9, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Carica Katarina
    • Filming locations
      • Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(Studio, uncredited)
    • Production company
      • London Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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