During the 18th century, German noblewoman Sophia Frederica, who would later become Catherine the Great, travels to Moscow to marry the dimwitted Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and Catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome Count Alexei, and bears a son. When the unstable Peter eventually ascends to the throne, Catherine plots to oust him from power.
Marlene Dietrich
as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II
John Lodge
as Count Alexei
Sam Jaffe
as Grand Duke Peter
Louise Dresser
as Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
C. Aubrey Smith
as Prince August
Gavin Gordon
as Capt. Gregori Orloff
Olive Tell
as Princess Johanna Elizabeth
Ruthelma Stevens
as Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'
Davison Clark
as Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope
Erville Alderson
as Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef
Maria Riva
as Sophia as a Child
Jane Darwell
as Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited)
