Not completely satisfying in its narrative devices - every other element had me on the edge of my seat, craving more Sternberg/Dietrich magic. And it's funny, too.

Among the most visually suggestive films. Dietrich's transformation from naive innocent to dominance is enhanced by the expressionist mise-en-scene. Dim lighting and intrusive decor give the picture an oppressively Gothic appeal. Sternberg's visual sensibilities are very impressive, but I didn't quite fall in love with this film.

299

A period piece on the rise of Catherine the Great, a script of femininity, delicate simplicity and much humor. Spectacularly directed by Sternberg in expressionist style with careful dramaturgy, articulate gothic/baroque art design, beautiful chiaroscuro lighting and intimate, up-close photography. Features the most memorable work I've seen from Marlene Dietrich, who for 2/3rs of the movie has a catlike dumbfounded, wide-eyed look on her face - a far cry from her later femme fatale roles.

Like many of my favorite movies, it has the power of a fever dream. The visual mastery overwhelms its unsophisticated literary merits. Many of the best stretches in the movie have little or no dialogue at all (the wedding scene, the rousing finale with the white steeds charging up the steps). Von Sternberg directs on '11' where most directors cannot exceed '10.' The lighting is incredible. The costumes are sumptuous. The production design is magnificent. Marlene Dietrich is radiant, etc.

#295

The production design and camerawork are dynamite, lots of clever visual motifs. And Marlene Dietrich is great for the second half of the movie. She doesn't pull off naive and innocent well at all (I think it's the husky voice that ruins it) but as she gets more and more conniving, the role suits her better. I guess my biggest problem with the film is that I kind of didn't care much about what was going on. I enjoyed the spectacle and the off-kilter weirdness of it, but I wasn't invested at all.

# 291

Mesmerizing cinematography goes with a solid direction and with Marlene Dietrich in the top of her game, and looking the most outstandingly beautiful ever.

Totally different from the usual stuffy period epics of this era. Plays like a nightmare featuring opulence in extreme cold and aristocratic imbeciles who could have you murdered for sneezing

298

Enjoyable and contains a wonderful performance from Dietrich, it's just missing a little something I can't put my finger on, maybe and extra 10-15 minutes to flesh a few things out in the second half..