Young Catherine

Watch Young Catherine

  • NR
  • 1991
  • 2 hr 30 min
  • 7.4  (1,134)

Young Catherine is a historical drama film made in 1991, directed by Michael Anderson, and features Vanessa Redgrave as Empress Elizabeth, Franco Nero as Prince Potemkin, and Christopher Plummer as General Rostov. The movie portrays the early life of Catherine the Great, the ruler of the Russian Empire during the 18th century. The film takes place in 1744 and revolves around Catherine’s marital life. Catherine is a young German princess who is married off to Peter III, the heir to the Russian throne. Despite being a marriage of convenience, Catherine is enamored with her husband initially, but soon discovers that he has no interest in her or the marriage, and is more interested in his toy soldiers than her.

Catherine is distraught at the situation and seeks solace in the company of the servants in the palace. She is also drawn to the cultured and enlightened Prince Potemkin, who helps her appreciate the finer things in life. As she spends more time with him, she sees the stark contrast between the indulgent and crude behavior of her husband, and the intelligence and kindness of Prince Potemkin.

As Catherine becomes more confident and comfortable in her new environment, she also grows more ambitious for herself and for the country. When Elizabeth, the Empress of Russia, dies leaving Peter as the new ruler, Catherine realizes that there is an opportunity to seize power and change the country for the better.

Young Catherine presents the audience with an engaging and intriguing portrayal of Catherine the Great, showcasing her transformation from a naive princess to a shrewd and ambitious leader of Russia. The beautiful cinematography captures the elegance and grandeur of the palace and the vast landscape of Russia, transporting the viewers to another time altogether. Moreover, the performances of the cast, particularly Vanessa Redgrave as Empress Elizabeth, Christopher Plummer as General Rostov, and Franco Nero as Prince Potemkin, are all noteworthy, lending the story a sense of credibility and depth.

One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its portrayal of the way women were treated during this time in Russian culture. In this patriarchal society, women had very little say in matters of state and politics, and were expected to merely be ornamental pieces in the palace. Young Catherine highlights this stark inequality and showcases the hurdles that Catherine had to overcome to assert her authority and be taken seriously as a leader. It emphasizes the uphill battle that Catherine fought, and how her resilience and determination enabled her to become one of the most formidable leaders in Russian history.

Overall, Young Catherine does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the historical period and the birth of Catherine’s ambition. It is a poignant story of a powerful and intelligent woman who rises above her circumstances to achieve her dreams. The movie is a must-watch for anyone interested in Russian history, particularly the reign of Catherine the Great.

Young Catherine is a 1991 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.

Description
Where to Watch Young Catherine
Young Catherine is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV and Amazon. Some platforms allow you to rent Young Catherine for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1991
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr 30 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (1,134)