| The Scarlet Empress | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Josef von Sternberg |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | The diary of Catherine the Great |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bert Glennon |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $900,000[1] |
The Scarlet Empress is a 1934 American historical drama film starring Marlene Dietrich and John Lodge about the life of Catherine the Great. It was directed and produced by Josef von Sternberg from a screenplay by Eleanor McGeary, loosely based on the diary of Catherine arranged by Manuel Komroff.
Even though substantial historical liberties are taken, the film is viewed positively by modern critics.[2][3] The Scarlet Empress is particularly notable for its attentive lighting and the expressionist art design that von Sternberg created for the Russian palace.
The film stars Dietrich as Catherine, supported by Lodge, Sam Jaffe, Louise Dresser, and C. Aubrey Smith. Dietrich's daughter Maria Riva plays Catherine as a child.
- ^ Box office / business for The Scarlet Empress (1934) at IMDB
- ^ Roger Ebert, The Scarlet Empress Review, January 16, 2005.
- ^ Derek Malcolm, Josef von Sternberg: The Scarlet Empress, May 25, 2000, The Guardian.