Queen Christina is a 1933 American pre-code historical drama film directed by Rouben Mamoulian.[1] The film was written by H. M. Harwood and Salka Viertel with dialogue by S. N. Behrman, based on a story by Salka Viertel and Margaret P. Levino. It stars Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Ian Keith and Lewis Stone.
The movie is very loosely based on the life of the 17th century Queen Christina of Sweden, who, in the film, falls in love during her reign but has to deal with the political realities of her society. It was billed as Garbo's return to cinema after an eighteen-month hiatus.
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"Spoils, glory, flags and trumpets! What is behind these high-sounding words? Death and destruction, triumphals of crippled men, Sweden victorious in a ravaged Europe, an island in a dead sea. I tell you, I want no more of it. I want for my people security and happiness. I want to cultivate the arts of peace, the arts of life. I want peace and peace I will have!"
Christina, who first took the throne at age 6 upon the death of her father in battle, is depicted as so devoted to both governing well and educating herself that she has spurned any kind of serious romance or marriage despite pressures from her councillors and court to marry her hero-cousin Karl (Charles) and produce an heir. One day in an effort to escape the restrictions of her royal life, she rides away, disguised as a man, and is snowbound at an inn. There she meets and falls in love with Spanish envoy Antonio (John Gilbert). After a few idyllic nights together, Christina and Antonio are compelled to part, but the Queen vows that they will meet again – which they do, when the Spaniard presents his embassy to the Queen.
When Count Magnus (Ian Keith), who wants the Queen's affections for his own, riles up the Swedish people against the Spaniard, Christina abdicates the throne. She leaves Sweden to be with Don Antonio, but he is wounded by Magnus in a duel, and dies in her arms. She resolves to proceed with her voyage to Spain where she envisions residing in Antonio's home on the white cliffs overlooking the sea. And, in arguably the most famous shot of the film, Christina then stands as a silent figurehead at the bow of the ship bound for Spain. With the wind blowing through her hair, the camera moves in to a tight close-up on her face, warmed by love, her
- Greta Garbo as Queen Christina
- John Gilbert as Antonio
- Ian Keith as Magnus
- Lewis Stone as Oxenstierna
- Elizabeth Young as Countess Ebba Sparre
- C. Aubrey Smith as Aage
- Reginald Owen as Charles
- Georges Renavent as Chanut
- David Torrence as Archbishop
- Gustav von Seyffertitz as General
- Ferdinand Munier as Innkeeper
- Akim Tamiroff as Pedro (uncredited)
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