Queen Christina

UPC: 012569673878

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Suitable for Children]

Summary: If Queen Christina is not the best of Greta Garbo's films (as many Garbo fanatics insist), it is certainly the most luxuriously romantic of her talkie features. The star is cast as 17th-century Swedish queen Christina, who feels that she can best function in a male-dominated world by adopting men's clothes and attitudes (this cross-dressing element adds a subliminally gay subtext which curiously makes the subsequent events all the more poignant). Fiercely devoted to her country and the welfare of her people, Christina has long since abandoned all thoughts of pursuing any kind of a romance -- but changes her mind when she meets and falls in love with Spanish envoy Antonio (John Gilbert). After an idyllic night together, Christina and Antonio are compelled to part, but the Queen vows then and there to relinquish her throne in favor of marriage to the envoy. Alas, the complex political machinations between their two countries permanently separate the two lovers, leaving Christina more alone in the world than ever. The chemistry between Garbo and Gilbert -- who as the whole world knew in 1933 had once been real-life lovers -- is positively mesmerizing, especially in the classic scene wherein Christina, after consummating their passion, walks dreamily around their room, touching and memorizing every detail (so persuasive is her pantomime in this scene that her last-minute explanation as to what she is doing is not only unnecessary, but downright jarring). Equally unforgettable is the final shot of Garbo staring enigmatically past the camera, allowing the viewer to "fill in" her thoughts (director Rouben Mamoulian always claimed that he ordered Garbo to think about "absolutely nothing," but one wonders). While some of Garbo's earliest talkies tend to creak a bit, Queen Christina is as fascinating today as it was nearly seven decades ago, and will undoubtedly continue to remain just as fascinating for the next seven decades. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Historical Film

Features: ccTheatrical trailer
Subtitles: English, Fran?ais & Espa?ol

Queen Christina

Format: DVD

Release Date: 09/06/2005

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD1 Dolby Digital Mono

Runtime: 99 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Queen Christina
1. Credits [:50]
2. Young Christina [3:49]
3. They Clamor [3:01]
4. Peacemaker [4:45]
5. Wakeup Callers [4:08]
6. Cramped With Duty [4:30]
7. Smile Through Disappointment [3:33]
8. Tip From a Wayfarer [2:52]
9. Best Room at the Inn [2:42]
10. Love's Illusions [6:26]
11. Room Sharers [3:30]
12. Undressing; Chocolate [4:42]
13. Memorizing the Room [4:29]
14. We'll Meet Again [3:22]
15. Warm Consideration at Court [6:05]
16. Friendly Warning [2:05]
17. Wanting Her Room Back [2:57]
18. Agitating the Mob [3:34]
19. I Shall not Submit [2:39]
20. Long Live the Queen [3:20]
21. Personal Protection [4:52]
22. Heritage of Duty [3:38]
23. My Abdication [4:15]
24. Off Comes the Crown [3:08]
25. Duel on the Frontier [3:33]
26. We Sail With the Wind [4:27]
27. Facing Her Destiny [1:44]

Lucia Bozzola

Displaying the full range of Greta Garbo's mystique, Queen Christina (1933) is usually considered one of Garbo's best works, as well as her most erotically complex. Working from the true story of the 17th century Swedish queen who abdicated her throne for love, MGM surrounded Garbo with the kind of beautifully detailed period sets and costumes for which it was known in the 1930s, including Christina's preferred male drag. Gracefully directed by Rouben Mamoulian, Garbo silently yet powerfully communicates Christina's ill-fated love for John Gilbert's Spanish envoy as she moves around their room at a snowbound inn, "memorizing" every object. Despite Garbo's reunion with three-time silent movie romance partner Gilbert, Queen Christina is more renowned for its (relatively) clear treatment of Christina's bisexuality, as she declares that she'll "die a bachelor," kisses her favorite countess on the lips, and disguises herself as a man. The final shot of Christina's staring out to sea is a signature Garbo moment of secret emotions, hidden passions, and mysterious allure. (Mamoulian reportedly told her to think of nothing.) Even so, Queen Christina did not perform as well as MGM had expected, making it a rare disappointment for Garbo and the end of Gilbert's career. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Richard Alexander  Actor 
Sam Harris  Actor 
Wade Boteler  Actor 
Akim Tamiroff  Actor 
Edward Gargan  Actor 
Edward Norris  Actor 
Cora Sue Collins  Actor 
Fred Kohler, Jr.  Actor 
Lawrence Grant  Actor 
Georges Renavent  Actor 
Barbara Barondess  Actor 
Paul Hurst  Actor 
S.N. Behrmann  Screenwriter 
Rouben Mamoulian  Director 
Herbert Stothart  Composer (Music Score) 
Salka Viertel  Screenwriter 
Walter Wanger  Producer 
H.M. Harwood  Screenwriter 
Greta Garbo  Actor 
John Gilbert  Actor 
Ian Keith  Actor 
Lewis Stone  Actor 
Elisabeth Young  Actor 
C. Aubrey Smith  Actor 
Reginald Owen  Actor 
David Torrence  Actor 
Gustav von Seyffertitz  Actor 
Ferdinand Munier  Actor 

Country: USA