Queen Christina
- Director: Rouben Mamoulian
- Writer: H.M. Harwood; Salka Viertel
- Producer: Walter Wanger
CGiii Comment
A masterpiece? No.
It does have some incredible - iconic - close-ups of Garbo and some genuinely beautiful shots.
However, the play-acting is too obvious for a modern audience.
This is cinematic history and it will always remain an important representation of the era.
Mamoulian's direction does improve as it goes on - the beginning is formulaic and there are a few scenes that should have been left on the editing floor.
The dialogue remains stagnant and contrived throughout.
Gilbert's career basically ended after this - it is a matter of opinion...but, here, he comes across as a chin-jutting geek.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Queen Christina of Sweden is a dominant European ruler in the 17th century, and has never thought of romance. However, she accidentally and secretly falls in love with an emissary from Spain, even though a marriage between the two seems out of the question.
Cast & Characters
Greta Garbo as Queen Christina;
John Gilbert as Antonio;
Ian Keith as Magnus;
Lewis Stone as Oxenstierna;
Elizabeth Young as Ebba;
C. Aubrey Smith as Aage;
Reginald Owen as Charles;
Georges Renavent as French Ambassador;
David Torrence as Archbishop;
Gustav von Seyffertitz as General;
Ferdinand Munier as Innkeeper;
Richard Alexander as Peasant in Crowd;
Hooper Atchley as Antonio's Companion in Coach;
Barbara Barondess as Elsa;
Wade Boteler as Magnus' Rabble Rouser