Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Catherine Zeta-Jones | ... | Catherine | |
Paul McGann | ... | Potemkin | |
Ian Richardson | ... | Vorontzov | |
Brian Blessed | ... | Bestuzhev | |
John Rhys-Davies | ... | Pugachev | |
Craig McLachlan | ... | Saltykov | |
Hannes Jaenicke | ... | Peter | |
Agnès Soral | ... | Countess Bruce | |
Mark McGann | ... | Orlov | |
Karl Johnson | ... | Sheshkovsky | |
Stephen McGann | ... | Alexis Orlov | |
Veronica Ferres | ... | Vorontzova | |
Mel Ferrer | ... | Patriarch | |
Jeanne Moreau | ... | Elizabeth | |
Omar Sharif | ... | Razumovsky |
In this romanticized biography, a small German principality's inexperienced princess, Catherine, becomes the bride of czarevitch Peter, the mad and abusive nephew and heir of the Russian czarina Elizabeth. From Elizabeth she learns the cynical ropes of wielding absolute imperial power at any cost, including sacrificing her lover, young guards officer Saltykov, who must give her an heir that Peter can't and is then sent abroad. After Elizabeth's death, she quickly moves to seize power with military and court support. She then works to enlarge and modernize the empire, again putting statesmanship ahead of her lover, a military genius who defeats the Ottomans and governs the conquered territories for her. Written by KGF Vissers
Hey guys, After having read the preceding reviews and of course having seen the flick I just had to add this comment: I take my movies seriously and I take my history seriously---in general. I will easily admit that this film is a bit weak on both scores. But everybody obviously had a wonderful time!
And sometimes that counts for something. I had not seen Miss Zeta-Jones before but I am certainly glad to have seen her now. I will admit that Mae West was probably closer to the real Catherine (complexionwise, haircolorwise, and probably even sexualproclivitywise) but it was an absolute pleasure to watch a woman who is imperious as well as beautiful play a part in which she is required to be both those things! I mean, she pulled it off! And she looked absolutely great doing it! I Can't wait to see her again. Well now, the historic issues. I am really sorry that Potemkin didn't get a chance to show Catherine a Potemkin village in this particular version, but other than that the history didn't really bother me all that much. The fact is, I kind of liked the plot, even if it does come from never never land. So put me down as a complete Philistine if you will, I can't help but admit that I enjoyed this thing thoroughly, misguided as I may be. And let me throw in one more kudo. Anyone who cut his teeth on "Gunsmoke" as Mr. Chomsky did, and winds up directing a Russian Czarina quoting Rousseau can't be all bad. I hope you like it too.