Catherine the Great
Directed by:
Philip MartinScreenplay:
Nigel WilliamsCinematography:
Stuart HowellComposer:
Rupert Gregson-WilliamsCast:
Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke, Gina McKee, Kevin McNally, Joseph Quinn, Clive Russell, Rory Kinnear, Thomas Doherty, Georgina Beedle, Richard Roxburgh (more)VOD (1)
Episodes(4)
Plots(1)
Catherine the Great is a four-part drama that delves into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history. Catherine (Helen Mirren) wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century – strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated, she was the definition of the modern woman. The mini-series follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with the Russian military commander Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke). Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, this is a story of obsessive love. Unable to publicly marry and famously promiscuous, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together shaping Russia as we know it today. (HBO Europe)
(more)Videos (2)
Reviews (3)
The central theme of the four-part drama Catherine the Great is the relationship between the Tsarina and Prince Grigory Potemkin, which may not appeal to everyone. Since I knew almost nothing about this monarch, the miniseries intrigued me from a historical point of view. It is worth highlighting the excellent Helen Mirren in the title role, but Jason Clarke was also great. The magnificent production design also cannot be overlooked; overall, this is an aesthetically impressive work. (70%)
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I'm more used to watching Catherine's youth, for example, Young Catherine with Julia Ormond and The Scarlet Empress with Marlene Dietrich, but the end of her life is not a bad subject for a series either. Helen Mirren plays the monarch, who died at 67, and follows her relationship with Grigory Potemkin as the main storyline. The problem is that Potemkin was part of Catherine's life from the coup d'état in 1762 until his death 29 years later. Catherine herself only outlived him by five years, and this entire historical epoch is played by an actress well over 70, which somewhat complicates believability. Jason Clarke is again barely 50 years old and yet he should be only 10 years younger than Catherine. However, I would consider this to be the only major problem. Everything else in the mini-series flows like clockwork and it's really interesting to watch the conquest of Crimea, the building of Sevastopol, and Potemkin's village. Among the supporting roles, Gina McKee as Countess Praskovya Bruce stands out. Gina is generally excellent in historical substances of different eras, for example the Borgias or the Forsyths.
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The episodes are few, and so it directly invites you to watch them all in quick succession. But this might be a mistake, as Catherine the Great will then quite possibly lack the pacing with which it has been split up. Indeed, each episode is pretty much about the same thing, all leading up to the final thought, and as a four-hour film it will probably drag. However, the series is very good, the excellent cast (the downright incredible Helen Mirren was a sure thing for me, and Jason Clarke once again surprised, delighted, and entertained me beyond belief) and the stylish production design. The accusations of historical inaccuracies regarding the ages of the representatives of Catherine and Potemkin are, fortunately, beyond me.
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