Queen Christina (1933)

Director:

Rouben Mamoulian

Writers:

H.M. Harwood (screenplay) and
Salka Viertel (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

9 February 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

Plot:

Queen Christina of Sweden is a dominant European ruler in the 17th century, and has never thought of romance...

Plot Keywords:

Queen | Cross Dressing | Marriage Proposal | Rumor | Snowing

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Greta Garbo	...	Queen Christina
John Gilbert	...	Antonio
Ian Keith	...	Magnus
Lewis Stone	...	Oxenstierna
Elizabeth Young	...	Ebba
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Aage
Reginald Owen	...	Charles
Georges Renavent	...	French Ambassador
David Torrence	...	Archbishop
Gustav von Seyffertitz	...	General (as Gustav Von Seyffertitz)
Ferdinand Munier	...	Innkeeper
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Alexander	...	Peasant in Crowd (uncredited)
Hooper Atchley	...	Antonio's Companion in Coach (uncredited)
Barbara Barondess	...	Elsa (uncredited)
Wade Boteler	...	Magnus' Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
James Burke	...	Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
Cora Sue Collins	...	Christina as a Child (uncredited)
Muriel Evans	...	Barmaid at Inn (uncredited)
Edward Gargan	...	Drinker Betting on 9 (uncredited)
Sam Harris	...	Nobleman (uncredited)
Paul Hurst	...	Swedish Soldier Betting on 6 (uncredited)
Gladden James	...	3rd Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
Fred Kohler	...	Member of the Court at Abdication (uncredited)
Frank McGlynn Jr.	...	2nd Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
Edward Norris	...	Count Jacob (uncredited)
Bodil Rosing	...	Innkeeper's Wife (uncredited)
Tiny Sandford	...	Cook at the Inn (uncredited)
C. Montague Shaw	...	King Gustavus Adolphus (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Akim Tamiroff	...	Pedro (uncredited)

Directed by
Rouben Mamoulian

Writing credits
H.M. Harwood		(screenplay) and
Salka Viertel		(screenplay)
Salka Viertel		(original story) and
Margaret P. Levino		(original story)
S.N. Behrman		(dialogue)
Ben Hecht		uncredited

Produced by
Walter Wanger	....	producer

Original Music by
Herbert Stothart		(musical score)

Cinematography by
William H. Daniels		(as William Daniels)

Film Editing by
Blanche Sewell

Production Design by
Edgar G. Ulmer		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Alexander Toluboff

Costume Design by
Adrian		(gowns)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Charles Dorian	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Edwin B. Willis	....	interior decorator

Sound Department
Douglas Shearer	....	recording director
Art Wilson	....	sound mixer (uncredited)

Stunts
Harry Froboess	....	stunts (uncredited)
Audrey Scott	....	riding double: Greta Garbo (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Milton Brown	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Music Department
Maurice De Packh	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Herbert Stothart	....	conductor (uncredited)

Other crew
Fred Cavens	....	stager: sword fight (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Incorporated)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1933) (USA) (theatrical)
• Loew's (1933) (USA) (theatrical) (uncredited)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
• Continental Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• United Costumers Inc.  costumes supplied by (uncredited)

Runtime:

99 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G (TV rating) | Sweden:11 (re-rating) (1964) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Australia:PG | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved | UK:U (re-rating) (2005) (uncut) | UK:U (re-rating) (2005)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Since John Gilbert was falling out of favor with the majors as a leading man, Greta Garbo was doing him a big favor by requesting him as the male lead. Unfortunately, the film did not help to re-establish Gilbert, and soon after he dropped out of pictures altogether.

Goofs:

Continuity: When being crowned, the Chancellor is to the right of the throne, then is further away, then step up to the young queen twice.

Quotes:

Antonio's Companion in Coach: It is still snowing my lord.
Antonio: Good!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008) (TV)

The Ultimate Masterpiece! An impressive movie beyond times!

"I,m tired of being a symbol, Chancellor, I long to be a human being! This longing I cannot suppress!" (Greta Garbo as queen Christina)

On December, the 26th, 1933 Rouben Mamoulian's great production about the Swedish queen was released. Greta Garbo (1905-1990), a Swedish actress already famous for her roles in silent movies and some sound films, like Anna Christie (1930), was cast to play the main role by Rouben Mamoulian for the first time in her new contract. Perhaps, the producers with the director expected some success, but certainly nobody could think of the movie being watched and admired in the 21st century...

The story of Christina is changed; however, it does not make a serious distortion. The movie shows a lot of true facts from her life (her coronation in 1632 and her desire for peace) as well as some additional events (she did not abdicate for love). But, like with most other films, history had to be interpreted to the need of the audience of the 1930s.

The movie is mostly famous for dealing with Christina's desire for personal happiness and love affair between Christina and the Spanish ambassador Don Antonio De Pimentel (John Gilbert). The most memorable scene, for me personally, is their first meeting in an inn. The way Mr Mamoulian showed it is really extraordinary: nothing vulgar or open without taboo. Grapes which are a reference either to Ancient Greece and god Bachus or to Spain, Antonio's homeland. Christina is showed walking through the room and touching all objects in order to memorize them. Greta Garbo gives one of her finest performances in this memorable scene. REALLY SENSIBLE SCENE THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHOOT NOWADAYS! What is more, her lesbianism is hidden. There is only one moment when Christina kisses one of her servant girls in the mouth.

Another significant aspect of the movie is Christina's long for being a human, not a symbol. Her famous words that I contained at the beginning of my review reflect her personality. Everything she does is for happiness. She falls in love with Antonio and plans a happy life with him. However, Antonio dies in her arms and their love cannot be fulfilled. The final shot of Christina standing at the bow of the ship as it sets sail is another impressive, magnificent moment. Before shooting this scene, Mr Mamoulian said to Greta: "I want your face to be a blank sheet of paper. I want the writing to be done by every member of the audience..."

The cast are excellent. Greta Garbo performed in many movies, including ANNA KARENINA (1935), LOVE (1927), MATA HARI (1931), CAMILLE (1936), and in all of them, she was perfect; but this role is her ultimate masterpiece. Undoubtedly incredible! Even if you don't like anything about this movie, Greta's performance is something you will never forget. Consider how she played a man while meeting Antonio in an inn; or her speech where she calls for the end of Thirty Years War: "Spoils, glory, flags, and trumpets! What is behind these high sounding words? Death and destruction!"

John Gilbert also does a good job as Antonio but he, like everyone else, is in the shadow of Greta. I do not know if there were other such good actors or actresses in cinema's history. Perhaps, Romy Schneider... but, indeed, very few people could leave such an unfading trace in cinema.

Queen Christina is my beloved, favorite movie, a piece of high art at multiple levels. More than 70 years have passed since it was released and the movie is still a pleasure to see. It has been a must-have in my family from the time my Grandma was young in the 1930s. The movie really deserves to be released on DVD.

There are movies that you watch and quickly forget.

There are movies that you may like and see them more than once to remember for longer.

Queen Christina is a movie that, having seen once, you will never forget.

With no hesitation 10/10