Tsar Alexandre II meets a young student, Katia. He understands that he loves her and try to send her away but they end up seeing each other again and becomes his mistress. With the help of Katia, Alexandre prepares a liberal constitution, but these reforms make him hostile to the more privileged subjects without satirising the revolutionaries against the regime.
Acting
Romy Schneider's luminous, cunning performance at just 20
Costume
Imperial opulence that whispers rather than screams
Direction
Siodmak's elegant tension between public duty and private desire
Director
Robert Siodmak
Romy Schneider
Katia
Curd Jürgens
Czar Alexander II
Pierre Blanchar
Koubaroff
Antoine Balpêtré
Kilbatchich
Françoise Brion
Sophie
Monique Mélinand
Tsarina Maria
Michel Bouquet
Bibesco
Bernard Dhéran
Stéphane Ryssakov
Margo Lion
Institut Supervisor
Jacqueline Marbaux
Mlle Trépeau
Yves Barsacq
Katourine
Alain Saury
Soloviev
Senta Berger
Court Lady
Hans Unterkircher
Paskievitch
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Siodmak fled Nazi Germany and returned to Europe for this; his Hollywood noir instincts sharpen the political intrigue.
FR
