Josef von Sternberg's flamboyant biography on the life and reign of Catherine of Russia, as played by the incomparable Marlene Dietrich. The film chronicles her rise from provincial origins to a cold-hearted killer who used her sexuality to seduce, conquer and attain power. "With grotesque statues and gargoyles, Byzantinesque icons and portraits, impossibly magnificent costumes and perhaps the most lavish production ever undertaken, Scarlet Empress apotheosized Dietrich as the ultimate symbol of sexual domination and degradation" (David Cook, The History of Narrative Film). With John Lodge.

Josef von Sternberg---USA---1934---109 mins.

• Release date: 05/08/2001