

Plot
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.
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)
Crew
Josef von Sternberg
Director
Josef von Sternberg
Producer
Bert Glennon
Director of Photography
Manuel Komroff
Writer
Eleanor McGeary
Writer
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