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.
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
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TrailerThe Insanity of The Scarlett Empress (Marlene Dietrich)
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Cast

Marlene Dietrich
Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

John Lodge
Count Alexei

Sam Jaffe
Grand Duke Peter

Louise Dresser
Empress Elizabeth Petrovna

C. Aubrey Smith
Prince August

Gavin Gordon
Capt. Gregori Orloff

Olive Tell
Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Ruthelma Stevens
Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Davison Clark
Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope

Erville Alderson
Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef

Maria Riva
Sophia as a Child

Jane Darwell
Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)

Edward Van Sloan
Herr Wagner (uncredited)

Akim Tamiroff
Bit Part (uncredited)
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