Catherine the Great
starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McGann, Ian Richardson, Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies
directed by: Marvin J. Chomsky, John Goldsmith
directed by: Marvin J. Chomsky, John Goldsmith
List Price: $19.95
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: A&E
EAN: 9780767032711
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
ISBN: 0767032713
Label: A&E Home Video
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: A&E Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: February 27, 2001
Running Time: 100 minutes
Sales Rank: 22795
Studio: A&E Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1995
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
A beautifully filmed drama about the rise of russias empress catherine ii and her steely determination to revolutionize her country in the mid-18th century. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 02/27/2001 Starring: Emily Bruni Run time: 100 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com:
Russian history occurs on a sweeping scale, but that takes a bigger budget than A&E can muster. So instead the cable network keeps its treatment of Russian empress Catherine II indoors as much as possible. That allows the camera to linger over the impossibly lovely face of Catherine Zeta-Jones, and the plot to focus on the political machinations of 18th-century Russia. Catherine goes from a bookish teen bride (her husband is the crazy and possibly impotent nephew of Russia's Empress Elizabeth) to the legendary empress who successfully concluded the Seven Years' War with Prussia, conquered Turkey, and put down a rebellion led by a Cossack pretending to be her long-dead husband.
The movie stumbles a bit when it ventures outdoors--it's hard to imagine Russia really conquered the Ottoman Turks with a 12-man army--but sizzles inside. Zeta-Jones conveys both passion and hard-edged ambition as her character transforms herself from manipulated to manipulator. Many of those manipulations occur in the bedroom, and the movie takes some liberties in portraying her union with military leader Grigory Potemkin (Paul McGann); here he's practically a saint, although history remembers him a bit less nobly.
The supporting cast includes Jeanne Moreau in a masterful portrayal of Empress Elizabeth, along with Ian Richardson, Mel Ferrer, and Omar Sharif. Although there's plenty of scenery for them to chew, they hold back, allowing Zeta-Jones her 100 minutes of greatness. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Average Rating: 
Rating:
- Don't waste your money or timeThis movie is not worth purchasing or watching. It is NOTHING like the mini-series, "Young Catherine" ... Read More
Rating:
- Weak!No value in depicting the life of Catherine the Great. It doesn't even touch the surface!
Rating:
- THE WORST!I know she made this early on in her career, but given this woman's power today I am surprised she allows ... Read More
Rating:
- Catherine the GreatGreat mini-series. I saw it years ago, when I was younger, and always wanted to see it again. Quality is ... Read More
Rating:
- Classic adaptationLoved Catherine Zeta Jones in this telling of Cathrine's rise to power. The costumes and scenery were excellent. ... Read More
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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.