The Scarlet Empress (1934)
Like most of Josef von Sternberg’s films, The Scarlet Empress feels like a silent film. He has a distinctive style that’s either off-putting or very lovely – depending on your point of view. He features title cards to help with scene transitions, very little dialogue, ornately decorated sets, and overacting from his stars. If you watch one of his movies with the television on mute, you’ll still know what’s going on.
But, if you don’t like that style, you probably won’t like his movies. Many of them star Marlene Dietrich, who also has her own style that adds or detracts, depending on your point of view. In this historical piece, she stars as a young German girl, married off to the imbecilic Sam Jaffe to ally Germany and Russia and provide an heir to the Russian dynasty. She’s understandably devastated when she has to change religions, countries, families, and tie herself to a mentally and physically repellant man. It’s all very melodramatic with lots of close-ups showing fear, disgust, lust, and hate. I was able to appreciate the work that went into the production, but I was really bored by the plot and unimpressed by the acting. As usual, Marlene gets to wear some gorgeous gowns, but she doesn’t do much but rely on her large eyes and a two expressions: doe-eyed and seductive.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Marlene Dietrich movies here!
But, if you don’t like that style, you probably won’t like his movies. Many of them star Marlene Dietrich, who also has her own style that adds or detracts, depending on your point of view. In this historical piece, she stars as a young German girl, married off to the imbecilic Sam Jaffe to ally Germany and Russia and provide an heir to the Russian dynasty. She’s understandably devastated when she has to change religions, countries, families, and tie herself to a mentally and physically repellant man. It’s all very melodramatic with lots of close-ups showing fear, disgust, lust, and hate. I was able to appreciate the work that went into the production, but I was really bored by the plot and unimpressed by the acting. As usual, Marlene gets to wear some gorgeous gowns, but she doesn’t do much but rely on her large eyes and a two expressions: doe-eyed and seductive.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Marlene Dietrich movies here!