Rent Catherine the Great (2019)

2.9 of 5 from 170 ratings
3h 39min
Rent Catherine the Great Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
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Synopsis:
The epic and dramatic tale of power, politics and passion. Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, Russian empress Catherine the Great (Helen Mirren) develops an extraordinary and fiery relationship with Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke) as they overcome their adversaries and serve as the architects of modern-day Russia.
Actors:
, , , , , , , , , , Camilla Borghesani, , , , Ilona Bagele, , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Jules Hussey, David M. Thompson
Writers:
Nigel Williams
Studio:
Dazzler
Genres:
British TV, TV Dramas, TV Military & War Dramas, TV Political, TV Romance
Collections:
Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Helen Mirren
BBFC:
Release Date:
25/11/2019
Run Time:
219 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Disc 1:
This disc includes episodes 1 - 2
Disc 2:
This disc includes episodes 3 - 4
BBFC:
Release Date:
25/11/2019
Run Time:
219 minutes
Languages:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM Stereo
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Disc 1:
This disc includes episodes 1 - 2
Disc 2:
This disc includes episodes 3 - 4

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Reviews (8) of Catherine the Great

Uninspiring - Catherine the Great review by IG

Spoiler Alert
10/02/2020

With the possible exception that she has Russian ancestry, why cast Helen Mirren in this role, she is around 40 years older than the age of the character she portrays?

For a far more entertaining and closer to history version watch the Russian produced Ekaterina, it is brilliant, unlike this dull effort.

5 out of 6 members found this review helpful.

So-so Biopic which probably portrays her too kindly - Catherine the Great review by PV

Spoiler Alert
29/02/2020

This is a TV series made, I presume, to pander to the MeToo demands for more 'strong female lead' characters in drama. Most movies doing that have flopped badly because the movies are so dull. This is not, BUT I longed for a TV drama about the more fascinating Peter the Great (early 18th C and he worked as a ship builder incognito of Deptford in London too) or Ivan the Terrible (16th C).

Helen Mirren does her usual royal imperious act, though it was hard to keep her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen out of my head while watching this.

I am no expert but I believe Catherine was a brutal ruler who executed many people - she is portrayed here as a 'liberal' who wants to ban slavery (Russia had serfdom till 1860s, I think). I suspect Russian language films about Russian history will be better.

Potemkin in real life was a sycophant who grovelled to Catherine and lied to her about the success of Russia. He lends his name to Potemkin Villages - the fake PR exercise using stage set boarded facades of houses which he ordered by put up along a river so when Catherine saw them from her boat she thought these were wonderful new villages and towns constructed during her reign., It is baffling that that is not included here. Instead Potemkin is portrayed as an idealised and perfect man who was adored by Catherine - the relationship was a lot more political then that. BUT then, The Crown is pure fiction and lies re the British royal family, and Hollywood's pc lies are legion.

The Crimea features no doubt as the recent annexation of Crimea by Russia was a news story not so long ago - and it all started here.

All filmed in Lithuania. Nice period buildings, sure, but it ain't the real thing, the Kremlin, Read Square, the WInter Palace and Hermitage. So it's all rather understated and just not bling enough, really.

But, watchable. If meandering. I'd love to see a series on Peter the Great though. Over to you, Amazon/Netflix/whoever.

3 stars.

1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Enjoyable history - Catherine the Great review by Dap

Spoiler Alert
07/07/2020

So far so good, I've only watched the first disc yet and hope disc 2 is as good. My kind of film.. Characters scenery and plot. Although I agree with other reviewers concerning Helen Mirren's questionable age appropriate role.

0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.

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