

The Reigning Beauty of the Screen!
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.
Josef von Sternberg
Josef von Sternberg
$900,000

Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

Count Alexei

Grand Duke Peter

Empress Elizabeth Petrovna

Prince August

Capt. Gregori Orloff

Princess Johanna Elizabeth

Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope

Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef

Sophia as a Child

Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)