Catherine
the Great (1995)
Our rating: 2 out of 5
Rated: not rated (equal to PG13)
reviewed by:
Charity Bishop
Before Catherine Zeta-Jones' career took off with her
critically-acclaimed performance in The Mask of Zorro, she performed in a
number of small television productions for Hallmark and A&E. Catherine the
Great is one of them, based on the life of the young woman who was forced
into a marriage of alliance with the Emperor of Russia, but eventually became
one of the most powerful female monarchs in history. The story of how she got
there is corrupted and often immoral, but the result of her determination and
courage make it an epic adventure of passion, scandal, and politics.
Married at fifteen, Catherine and her husband are ill-suited. Due to
a medical condition he is unable to consummate the marriage despite
his aunt's desires for an heir. In turn, the High Empress (Jeanne
Moreau) hires one of the men of the court, known to be a playboy to
seduce Catherine in the hopes that a child will result from the
union. Catherine believes that this member of the court is truly and
honestly in love with her, and is crushed when the truth comes
out... that he was merely paid to woo and romance her. Catherine has
learned at a young age that politics is a cruel game in which many
of the players are often wounded. The lesson becomes even more
poignant when she bears a son and the Empress takes him away without
ever allowing her to hold or see him. From that moment on, Catherine
determines her eventual place in Russia will be as the sole ruler.
She is powerless to do anything until her mother-in-law's death but
begins to plot her way to the throne.
Catherine realizes her husband loathes her and she knows once he is
empowered he will have her ostracized in the favor of his mistress.
Behind the back of the Empress' adviser Vorontzoy (Ian Richardson)
Catherine creates an alliance at the front through their womanizing
general. With the power of the troops, Catherine has the power to
seize the throne at the Empress' death. Opportunity strikes and
Catherine takes it... but there is political unrest, thousands
of years of corruption, and backstabbing officials to contend with.
And then she didn't reckon with falling in love.... This time it's
for real, and with a young Colonel who would seek the service of the
church rather than fight. But Catherine will forge through it all,
and in the end will be known throughout the world as "Catherine
Le Grande." Catherine... the Great.
This little-known production by A&E has become far more popular
since Catherine Zeta-Jones has become a household name. Originally
produced abroad, it's been shortened by A&E but still contains
enough of the beautiful and beguiling Catherine Zeta-Jones to make
fans happy. Many will want to see her in this role, since she plays
it with a mixture of the innocence and manipulation needed to
fulfill the real Catherine's shoes. But they should be warned that
Catherine the Great's history was far from ideal. In truth, she did
build her empire on passion... by using high-ranking and influential
men to her advantage, much as Cleopatra did in ancient Egypt. The
result is that the film starts off on a rocky trail of immorality,
lies, seduction, and political revenge but smoothes out after twenty
minutes into a more balanced and worthy plot. If you can forge the
innuendo, discussion on the young Emperor's "condition," and can
turn a blind eye to Catherine's first indiscretions (two of them),
after that point on the film becomes unproblematic and looses much
of the sexual air. It becomes more of a game of politics. But due to
the adulterous nature of these encounters, I would advise against
it. Twice Catherine's full bare back and most of her side are seen;
in one stomach-turning scene, her husband takes her by force.
The costuming is gorgeous but far too low, and cleavage is used as
eye candy on many occasions. Vorontzoy pushes his niece to become
the Emperor's mistress by having her wear low-cut and revealing
gowns. Catherine often displays unnecessarily immodest amounts of
cleavage when winning men to her favor. The Emperor tells a dirty
rhyme in a party setting. Catherine is undressed once by a lover;
sex is implied at least four times. The side of a nude woman is seen
as a man is snatched from his tent. The miniseries-turned-video is
unrated but the sexual content warrants a PG13. Violence is also
apparent but not overly gory; several battle scenes with explosions,
knifings, and guns fired. Men are seen bloodied and wounded. Several
brawls erupt, one including a stomach-turning plot turn when a man's
eye is nearly put out. One man is attacked in his home and strangled
with wire; another in a prison, but the latter manages to escape. He
is later beheaded (implied). There's some mild language.
Although your conscience demands you loathe Catherine for her dirty
dealings, you cannot help but emphasize with her... a girl taken by
force at fifteen and married to the future king. The innocent little
girl swiftly becomes a woman of the world, but still shows fear,
sorrow, and pity. The Colonel is likable right off. A man of faith,
he is horrified by war and seeks to avoid conflict. Ian Richardson
is ideal... part cynical, part mental, part conniving little lair,
he makes an excellent groveling chancellor who on occasion
steals the scenes. It is only after her rise to power that I truly
began to enjoy the rest of the film as I watched Catherine battle
the Turks and love from afar a young military officer. I was
disappointed their romance did eventually wind up between the sheets
(only gentle kissing seen) despite his present religious beliefs. At
one point he even seeks out a monastery and becomes a novice.
Therefore, their rapid progression into bed seems unlikely,
superficial, and unfortunate, and in turn the film looses any
possible moral stronghold. Catherine the Great is more a
story of scandal than anything. The Bible warns us against adultery,
wielding power too easily, and using people to our own advantage.
And although Catherine has a few attributes to admire, her ill deeds
cannot be overlooked in the grand scale of things.
|