Queen Christina (1933) User Reviews

Garbo as Queen

[blanche-2 · 9/10 · 16 June 2007]

Greta Garbo is the controversial "Queen Christina" in this beautiful 1933 film directed by the great Rouben Mamoulian, responsible for the resplendent 1941 "Blood and Sand" and many other films. Here, Garbo is reunited with a leading man from silent films, John Gilbert, and the two are marvelous together. It's so strange now to remember that there was supposedly something wrong with Gilbert's voice so when talkies came in, it wrecked his career. Obviously his voice was just fine, and in this film, he speaks with a classically trained voice and has great facility for the dialogue. Perhaps it's true that Mayer hated him and sped up his voice in his sound debut; but most likely, his alcoholism is what ultimately destroyed his career.

The script takes wild liberties with the real Queen's life, but it makes for excellent entertainment. Queen Christina was educated as a man at her father's directive so she could take over the throne, and she supposedly, as in the film, had some sort of relationship with her lady-in-waiting, Ebba. One site states that Christina abdicated her throne to be with Ebba; however, Ebba had already married and left the court by the time Christina abdicated. After her abdication, she traveled to Rome as a man and steeped herself in culture. Later on, she tried to become Queen of a couple of countries and became involved with a Cardinal, to whom she left her estate when she died at the age of 63.

Here, Christina travels as a man and ends up sharing a room with an envoy of the King of Spain, Don Antonio (Gilbert), who becomes her lover. The bedroom scenes are quite controversial, though no sex is shown. It was thought that Garbo fondling different things in the room as she "memorizes" it was a symbol of her fondling something else - plus there is only bed in the room and the two were obviously in it, though the bed was curtained. And that's as explicit as one got in 1933. The scenes at the inn apparently wiped out any concern for Christina's kissing of Ebba (Elizabeth Young) on the lips earlier!

The acting is superb, particularly from Garbo, Gilbert, and Ian Keith (Magnus). Keith was a little known character actor, yet he was an accomplished stage performer who was very impressive in film - he can be seen as Joan Blondell's drunken husband in "Nightmare Alley." As for Gilbert, what a shame - a wonderful, attractive actor who plays Antonio with great wit and intelligence. He and Garbo made a great team. Garbo is gloriously beautiful, and in a nice touch, walks in the same lumbering way as the actress who plays her as a little girl does. This is the film with possibly the most famous close-up in cinematic history - as Garbo supposedly thinks of "nothing" as she stands on the ship. The camera lingers on her for what seems like forever...yet it is somehow not long enough.

The exciting, final pairing of a great screen team is only enhanced by the subtle touches of Mamoulian and the beautiful cinematography. Don't miss it.

Literate and thoughtful screenplay

[Gyran · 8/10 · 9 August 1999]

I sometimes think that films should be ranked rather like golfers, with a seniors' section for the over 50s. It is often difficult for the inherent quality of a film to shine through the grainy black and white, crackly sound, stagey sets and ludicrous back-projections. One test of a classic film is: if you went and saw it at your local multiplex tonight, would you enjoy it. Maybe Casablanca, Double Indemnity, The Maltese Falcon...and, surprisingly, Queen Christina looking as modern and sexy today as when it was made in 1933. The main thing that makes it stand out from the crowd is its literate and thoughtful screenplay. The subject matter is new to most people who, like myself, have only the sketchiest of knowledge about 17th century Swedish history. Garbo is magnificent as an intelligent, liberated queen. She spends most of the film in men's clothes and thigh-length boots. I'm always rather incredulous of the Shakespearean convention where the heroine only has to put on a pair of trousers and everyone assumes she is a boy. Queen Christina delightfully pokes fun at this convention. Garbo, dressed as a boy, finds that she has to share the last room at the inn with John Gilbert, the Spanish envoy. In a scene that radiates sexiness, Garbo only has to take off her jacket for Gilbert to realise that she is all woman.

Royal Flush

[writers_reign · 8/10 · 18 September 2015]

Garbo retired from the screen long before I was going to movies so I've had to catch up with her piecemeal; Two-Faced Woman, for example, never seems to surface whilst Ninotchka is ubiquitous. Recently I acquired a boxed set which I'm working my way through and via which I have just watched Queen Christina. This definitely belongs in the category known as 'they don't make 'em like that anymore' and in this case the cliché describes both the film itself and Greta Garbo who remains luminous some 80 odd years on. People like Lewis Stone, C. Aubrey Smith and Akim Tamiroff, fine actors though they are to a man, simply don't exist in Garbo's world which is ironic as Akim Tamiroff is always spoken of as someone 'the camera loves'. I have no idea how much, if any, of the story is historically factual and frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn when Garbo is available to beguile and enchant.

Garbo and Gilbert Together Again

[drednm · 1 June 2005]

One of silent cinema's greatest pairings, Greta Garbo and John Gilbert starred together one last time in Queen Christina. Gilbert's career was in tatters by 1933 after a string on failures, and Laurence Olivier had already bailed from the role, but Garbo insisted on Gilbert. And he is wonderful as the Spanish envoy. He looks great and gives a sly performance with plenty of wit. This is also one of Garbo's best talkies. Together they light up the screen. This film also boasts some of the most gorgeous close ups of Garbo you've ever seen. Solid historical drama of Swedish queen who abdicates for love. Good supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Reginald Owen, Akim Tamiroff, Ian Keith as the slimy Magnus, C. Aubrey Smith, Elizabeth Young, and David Torrence. Beautiful film with solid performances and, dare I say, very feminist in its view. Gilbert's performance in this film and Downstairs (1932) should have put him back on top. What a shame. Norma Desmond was right when she said, "They took the idols and they smashed them. The The Gilberts, the Fairbankses, the Valentinos."

A beautiful and haunting movie

[Maciste_Brother · 10/10 · 30 October 2005]

I recently purchased the Greta Garbo DVD collection and the first film I watched was "Queen Christina". It's the first time I've seen it from beginning to end and it's a beautiful and haunting film. I'm surprised by how old it is. It was made in 1933! And yet the film, aside from the usual dated aspects seen in every movie made then, is remarkably ahead of its time, certainly in the way it views of a female nobility, androgyny and homosexuality. It surprising this movie was made, in the light of the nefarious Hays Code which came into existence just a couple of years before this film was made.

The cinematography is beautiful. The script, though simplistic in its portrayal of Queen Christina's life (the reason I gave this film one star short of a perfect 10), is full of interesting dialogue, which is endlessly quotable. But the one thing that makes the movie so great is Greta herself. Remove Greta from the movie and not much is left. She makes the movie and what an amazing and haunting performance she gives. Some might find her way of acting a bit much but personally, I think it's something to behold. There's no other actor in the world of cinema like Greta Garbo and this film proves it in spades. Her performance is pitch perfect: she's towering, impossibly beautiful and yet vulnerable and warm as well, which is amazing feat. There are several unforgettable and iconic scenes in "Queen Christina" but the biggest icon is Greta herself. Her overwhelming presence in the movie makes it a thoroughly haunting experience. It's amazing that the folks behind the camera knew what amazing person they were working with and "Queen Christina" is the perfect showcase for this legendary star.

As for the quality of the DVD transfer, it's a shame there isn't a better looking version than this one. The film was filled with scratches and sound problems. Like Lawrence of Arabia or Vertigo, "Queen Christina" needs to be restored to its former glory and re-released on the big screen, so a new generation can discover and appreciate this underrated movie.

The Ultimate Masterpiece! An impressive movie beyond times!

[marcin_kukuczka · 10/10 · 26 December 2004]

"I,m tired of being a symbol, Chancellor, I long to be a human being! This longing I cannot suppress!" (Greta Garbo as queen Christina)

On December, the 26th, 1933 Rouben Mamoulian's great production about the Swedish queen was released. Greta Garbo (1905-1990), a Swedish actress already famous for her roles in silent movies and some sound films, like Anna Christie (1930), was cast to play the main role by Rouben Mamoulian for the first time in her new contract. Perhaps, the producers with the director expected some success, but certainly nobody could think of the movie being watched and admired in the 21st century...

The story of Christina is changed; however, it does not make a serious distortion. The movie shows a lot of true facts from her life (her coronation in 1632 and her desire for peace) as well as some additional events (she did not abdicate for love). But, like with most other films, history had to be interpreted to the need of the audience of the 1930s.

The movie is mostly famous for dealing with Christina's desire for personal happiness and love affair between Christina and the Spanish ambassador Don Antonio De Pimentel (John Gilbert). The most memorable scene, for me personally, is their first meeting in an inn. The way Mr Mamoulian showed it is really extraordinary: nothing vulgar or open without taboo. Grapes which are a reference either to Ancient Greece and god Bachus or to Spain, Antonio's homeland. Christina is showed walking through the room and touching all objects in order to memorize them. Greta Garbo gives one of her finest performances in this memorable scene. REALLY SENSIBLE SCENE THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO SHOOT NOWADAYS! What is more, her lesbianism is hidden. There is only one moment when Christina kisses one of her servant girls in the mouth.

Another significant aspect of the movie is Christina's long for being a human, not a symbol. Her famous words that I contained at the beginning of my review reflect her personality. Everything she does is for happiness. She falls in love with Antonio and plans a happy life with him. However, Antonio dies in her arms and their love cannot be fulfilled. The final shot of Christina standing at the bow of the ship as it sets sail is another impressive, magnificent moment. Before shooting this scene, Mr Mamoulian said to Greta: "I want your face to be a blank sheet of paper. I want the writing to be done by every member of the audience..."

The cast are excellent. Greta Garbo performed in many movies, including ANNA KARENINA (1935), LOVE (1927), MATA HARI (1931), CAMILLE (1936), and in all of them, she was perfect; but this role is her ultimate masterpiece. Undoubtedly incredible! Even if you don't like anything about this movie, Greta's performance is something you will never forget. Consider how she played a man while meeting Antonio in an inn; or her speech where she calls for the end of Thirty Years War: "Spoils, glory, flags, and trumpets! What is behind these high sounding words? Death and destruction!"

John Gilbert also does a good job as Antonio but he, like everyone else, is in the shadow of Greta. I do not know if there were other such good actors or actresses in cinema's history. Perhaps, Romy Schneider... but, indeed, very few people could leave such an unfading trace in cinema.

Queen Christina is my beloved, favorite movie, a piece of high art at multiple levels. More than 70 years have passed since it was released and the movie is still a pleasure to see. It has been a must-have in my family from the time my Grandma was young in the 1930s. The movie really deserves to be released on DVD.

There are movies that you watch and quickly forget.

There are movies that you may like and see them more than once to remember for longer.

Queen Christina is a movie that, having seen once, you will never forget.

With no hesitation 10/10

Garbo Reigns

[moonspinner55 · 7/10 · 3 September 2007]

In the 1600s, a headstrong young queen reigns over war-torn Sweden, but infuriates her people by falling in love with a dashing Spanish ambassador. Both a dramatic and (surprisingly) lighthearted look at a woman caught between true love and her duties, with Greta Garbo and John Gilbert superb as the star-crossed lovers. The stodgy opening prologue seems unnecessarily mannered (Garbo, too, takes a while to warm up), though the madly romantic Gilbert enlivens both the narrative and his co-star--and the final moments are honestly emotional, not just hoked-up for easy tears. Well-directed by Rouben Mamoulian, with beautiful black-and-white cinematography and many sharply written and staged sequences. *** from ****

Nobility and Magnificence

[d1494 · 10/10 · 19 June 2002]

Garbo is nothing less than magnificent as Queen Christina, speaking her lines with the power of a Luther or Mark Antony. This film is stunning and a revelation. Lewis Stone and C.Aubrey Smith play her stalwart supporters with their usual competence. The beautiful direction of Mamoulian gives us the memory of the unforgettable visage of Garbo, transcending by far the saccharine looks of most of the modern imposters called stars.Feeling? This movie has it in spades. A crowning achievement in cinema, an unforgettable film.

grand costume drama

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 13 August 2022]

It's 1632. The Protestant King of Sweden falls in battle. A six year old girl climbs onto the throne. Sixteen years later, Sweden is winning the Thirty Years' War and Queen Christina (Greta Garbo) would like it to end. On the other hand, her advisors want to continue the expensive endeavor. She overrules them and signs the peace agreement. Her advisor Magnus is her slavish admirer. Her country is eager to marry her to a Swedish prince and produce an heir. She falls for the new Spanish Ambassador Antonio (John Gilbert) but a public affair with a Catholic would be dangerous.

The inn section is fun although I kept waiting for her to do a big reveal. The film does end up doing an interesting reveal. The fun situation sets up relatively good chemistry. The movie is missing some good action. They have a 30 years war and only one small war scene. The production designs are big and impressive. It's a grand costume drama. The story is rather straight forward and the rumored real story may be more interesting. All in all, it's good.

I almost liked it

[xan-the-crawford-fan · 6/10 · 27 July 2021]

No, I still do not like Greta Garbo.

Ninotchka is my favourite film (and the first one I watched with her), but ever since that one I've liked her less and less- especially the more I see of her. I saw her make a fool out of herself in Two Faced Woman. I almost turned off Grand Hotel because her performance was so unwatchably overacted (Joan Crawford and Lionel Barrymore prevented me from doing that, thankfully, and she was more watchable the second time). Her interpretations of Anna Karenina and Camille made me wonder how someone could be so physically stiff. And so on.

This film almost made me like her again, but fell somewhat short of the mark.

It's a very well done film- the cinematography is excellent. A little heavy on the closeups of Garbo (there's one of just her eyes darting back and forth), but still excellent. Except for that error at the end. The way the ship is going and the way the wind is blowing means that Garbo's hair should be blowing into her face and not streaming out behind her like she's some kind of "Swedish goddess", and I know you're not supposed to pay attention to that and you're supposed to be all "OH MY QUEEN GARBO", but I can't, and that bothered me.

John Gulbert was never suited for sound movies, and with Garbo's star rising as his was falling, the movies they made together focused more on her and less on him. In Flesh And The Devil, he was billed first, but in Love, A Woman Of Affairs and this one, she is billed first. In this one, the poster is of just her and no one else. He is little more than a background prop in this film, but he and Garbo still have amazing chemistry.

Oh, yeah, I have to do a plot summary now.

Queen Christina was a masculine ruler, having been raised as a boy. She ascended to the throne at a young age, but how it is time for her to marry and produce a male heir. She refuses, saying, "I shall die a bachelor!" But, you know, one day there is a snowstorm and she gets stranded in a tavern with many "other" males. There is only one bed left in the inn, so she volunteers to share a bed with John Gilbert.

Apparently people were blind in the 16th century, because Garbo is a very feminine "man". You see, they put her in men's clothes, but forgot to take off her false eyelashes and her lipstick. John Gilbert's character in the film somehow only finds out she isn't a man when she takes off her jacket and...

OK, this is also kind of funny, because Garbo was rather flat in the chest area, but go on.

So they begin a love affair, and sleep together, and so on.

This is where the famous scene (and best one in the film) of her trying to memorize the room she spent the night in with her lover. Itnis very well done, and is what almost made me like the film.

That, and Greta Garbo left her overacting at home.

So anyways, the people of Sweden do not like that their queen is in love, and she eventually has to abdicate the throne, see. She plans to sail away with her lover, but he gets stabbed in a duel and dies in her arms. Being Garbo, she sails on alone, an almost triumphant look on her face. But her hair is still blowing the wrong way.

So, it's an alright film, but rather overrated, and rather boring. I'd watch it again if forced, but I still don't like Greta Garbo.

Queen Greta

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 4 February 2010]

Never was Greta Garbo more regal on the screen than when she played an actual monarch and countryperson of her's. Even though this film is hardly the story of the real Queen Christina of Sweden it is still a wonderful showcase for the talents of Greta Garbo.

Young Christina as played here by Cora Sue Collins before she grows up to be Garbo assumes the throne of Sweden after her father Gustavus Adolphus is killed on the battlefield of Lutzen in the Thirty Years War. As this was his only legitimate child, Gustavus Adolphus instructed that she be brought up with the advantages of being a man had. She learned the arts of war as would befit the daughter of a conquering king, but she received quite the classical education far beyond what any woman would normally receive.

Lewis Stone plays Count Oxenstierna who was her father's first minister and during her minority was the regent ruler of Sweden. He supervises her education, but when she starts spouting some heretical ideas, he's quite concerned.

The problem of succession and marriage plague Christina just as they plagued Elizabeth of England in the last century. But she handled it differently with disastrous results.

Which brings me to the film itself. This whole story line about Christina falling for the Spanish ambassador is total fiction. But the part of Don Antonio was to be John Gilbert's big comeback on the screen after his voice failed to register well in the very early talkies and his career went right into the toilet.

Gilbert's voice did register well and his performance isn't bad. But sad to say that time had moved on and MGM was investing in new leading men like Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, William Powell, etc. It was for John Gilbert just too late.

The real Christina went into exile for religion rather than love, that scenario would be played out for real in the United Kingdom in a few years. Among the heretical ideas that Christina with the education embraced was Roman Catholicism. Not a good idea where the nation had embraced Lutheranism, courtesy of Gustavus Adolphus.

She got a golden parachute though, unusual for deposed royalty back in those days. She kept her considerable personal estates in Sweden and twice went back to visit during her exile. It was hardly what Mary Queen of Scots got back in the previous century.

Though the story is fiction, it's also romance to the nines with Garbo a regal and alluring Queen Christina.

The Head That Wears The Crown.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 2 May 2015]

It's the early 1600s and Sweden is embroiled in the Thirty Years War. Queen Christina (Garbo) is consulting with her advisers. Garbo goes over the records of losses and says sternly: "These wars are expensive." The Treasurer replies: "The Parliament clamors for war." Plus ça change...

She's pretty enough and she acts about as well as any other mainstream actress of the early thirties. Her delivery tends to be emphatic, with the subtlety of a traffic signal, but so did that of many other actresses of the period, like Mae West. But I've never understood how she was able to hold a generation in thrall. No -- more than a generation. When she went into seclusion, reporters and fans looked for her on the streets of New York for decades. Truman Capote somehow managed to wangle his way into the vestibule of her apartment and was able to make the shocking observation that one of the abstract paintings was hung upside down.

The man she falls in love with in this film is John Gilbert. The meme is that Gilbert was a great star of the silver screen when there was no sound other than the theater organ playing. But he was doomed by his high, squeaky voice. That's not the case. His voice is no different from anyone else's in the film. His performance is animated and with his dark hair and pencil mustache he looks rather dashing. Somebody upstairs didn't like him.

The dialog is not at all bad. It joins the personal life of the queen and the historical background in a tidy manner. It has a touch of elegance in it, just enough to suggest a time long past. The whole production is studio bound but that's not always a disadvantage. Hollywood set dressers and art designers could make a place look like the essence of what it stood for. An inn with its walls, furniture, and staircases hewn roughly from wood really LOOKS better that the original probably did.

The plot? It's a tragedy. Garbo is the queen but to get away from the pressures of the court he disguises herself as a young man and visits an inn. There she meets Gilbert, the Spanish ambassador on his way to the palace in Stockholm. Of course he doesn't recognize her, since he's never met the queen, nor does he recognize her sex. He must be pretty stupid because Garbo is wearing lipstick, eye shadow or whatever it's called, and false eyelashes the size of industrial brooms.

It's only when they are forced to share the same room and the same bed that he discovers what she reveals. Neither of them seems particularly displeased. Next morning, he gazes at her while she spends a musical five minutes exploring and memorizing the features of the room -- caressing the spinning wheel, kissing the pillow.

However, she's torn between love and duty. We've seen it before. "Roman Holiday," "Mary Queen of Scots," "Elizabeth and Essex." It never ended happily and it doesn't end happily here.

Overrated, and false

[rgcustomer · 5/10 · 14 March 2011]

The most I could reasonably give this 1933 film is a 7/10, if it had been executed well, but it was not in two important ways.

But I should recommend it for its good point, which is a good and seemingly accurate scene of abdication, which is I think a rarity for film. The rest of the story is interesting, but lacks emotion.

The film's first half fails utterly, because we're supposed to believe that this woman can pass for a man if she wants to. In real life, Christina was intersexed and/or lesbian. She not only could pass if she wanted, but is reported to have been very masculine anyway, and courted women. The actress portraying her here is not just feminine, but also made up to retain that feminine look, even in male garb. And the character is shown having an interest in men, which is not representative of her usual desires. So my main two problems with the film are that the character doesn't reflect the historical person, and is in any case not believable (nor are any of the characters who are fooled by her dressed as a man).

The second half is more interesting because it gets into the personal cost of being a royal. But a further problem here is that the real issue wasn't about loving a Spanish man, but about her conversion to Catholicism, and her spending. I didn't count this against the film as it already wandered too far into fiction in the first half.

This film is worth a remake by a more competent team today. I have not seen The Abdication (1974) but that film may be worth viewing as well.

A Great Performance By Garbo

[Snow Leopard · 25 June 2001]

This is a movie with several good points, but "Queen Christina" is most of all notable for the outstanding performance by the great Greta Garbo, in a role that is perfect for her. There are good settings and a good story, with the rest of the cast also mostly performing well, but Garbo's terrific performance grabs the viewer's attention and holds it for the entire film.

The story is very loosely based on the historical Queen Christina, who ruled Sweden in the mid-1600's. The historical character was interesting in her own right, but the movie adds a clandestine love affair with a Spanish ambassador that serves as a catalyst for questions about Christina's identity, duty, and perspective. It's a fine character study that makes ideal material for Garbo, and she is thoroughly convincing when portraying the queen's dilemmas, desires, and decisions. While the historical context is important, many of the things that the queen agonizes over are also timeless concerns, making the portrayal even more memorable. The story itself is also good, with a memorable climax.

This is a fine classic, recommended not only for those who enjoy older films, but also for anyone who can appreciate a great performance by a great actress.

The most spectacular and fantastic forgotten film of all time.

[realitybites87 · 10/10 · 15 April 2001]

With new films being made and classics being forgotten, many mediocre classics are being blocked away from people's memories for good. Queen Christina displays the perfect example of what film glamour used to be and how good Greta Garbo can be. Her portrayal of the virgin Queen Christina can be interrelated to Julia Roberts' portrayal of Erin Brockovich: Christina is a single woman trying to solve a great national problem while upholding a relationship. Even though Queen Christina's romance can be seen as far-fetched, its dialogue gives the film great emotion that just pulls you in. For example, in the first 15 minutes of the film, I was seriously considering turning the film off, but then the incredible quote "The snow is like a white sea: you can sail off, get lost, forget your troubles, and forget who you are. It's simply Heaven." dragged me into the movie's slowly unraveling plot of forbidden romance. Even better, the movie is short (c. 95 min.) so you're not just waiting for it to end. In short, a perfect example of forgotten classics, forgotten stars, and the glamorous and beautiful Greta Garbo at her peak.

Masterpiece of Garbo and Mamoulian

[Josh20 · 10/10 · 23 April 2002]

Few times the face of an actress has been more fascinating that in this movie.With a great and ,sometimes,pictorical direction ,Mamoulian directed Greta Garbo like the great star she was.The movie have a great plot and unforgettable shots.For example,the queen in a dark room,walking like a ghost ,or the final shot with inexpressive Garbo's face.I saw this movie when i was a child and it's one of my favorites.Visual style is like Eisenstein or Griffith movies and the whole movie is the perfect combination of art and great spectacle(this is unusual).I love this movie ,I think is one of the few movies that is really perfect.A truly masterpiece for all times.

A Queen's struggle of Love Vs Kingdom that turned Greta Garbo from "Glamorous Garbo" to "Great Garbo" and left footprints for a better version - Wyler's "Roman Holiday".

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 7/10 · 14 July 2021]

Queen Christina (1933) : Brief Review -

A Queen's struggle of Love Vs Kingdom that turned Greta Garbo from Glamorous Garbo to Great Garbo and left footprints for a better version - Wyler's "Roman Holiday". Oscar Winning Classic "Grand Hotel" (1932) and Queen Christina in consecutive years confirmed that Greta Garbo was a 'Great Garbo' and not just a 'Glamorous Grabo'. Her silent flicks showcased her glamour but these two films confirmed that she was a Great actor too and she gave couple of amazing performance later as well. For me, she was the best female thing in Hollywood after Lillian Gish and before Bette Davis and Katherine Hepburn took over. It's sad that she didn't get powerful filmography or brunch of classics like those 3 actresses mentioned above. No disrespect to the Great Garbo but I have found her films overrated. A star is never bigger than the film for me and i don't hesitate to bash even many legends if their films aren't that great. I have seen Flesh and The Devil, Camille, Ninotchka, and Grand Hotel and except for the last one i have found all those films nowhere close to greatness or Classic tag. Queen Christina has joined that list just now. If you remember William Wyler's Roman Holiday then this was earlier version of it with biographical reference. But anyday, Roman Holiday is much better film than this. That intellectualism, profounding ethics and mic drop burn in the climax everything was far better in Roman Holiday. Queen Christina has its ups and down. Ups in the second half and downs in the first half. It's a good film, very good actually for its time but having a Classic like Grand Hotel already an year ago makes this Garbo flick look underwhelming. Historical accuracies aside, but even some fictional theories are little dumb otherwise it's a Fine watch for beautiful performances and decent storyline.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Garbo at her best

[angelofvic · 10/10 · 9 May 2009]

If you really want to see Garbo's greatest performance, greatest role, and greatest movie, THIS is it. This movie will delight you thoroughly, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you helplessly bedazzled by the greatest actress of her age.

There isn't a false note or wasted moment in this masterpiece of a film. John Gilbert, Garbo's true love in real life, plays her beloved in this movie. Both stars create fireworks and warmth, and both conjure up an unforgettable screen romance.

Forget all the slick CGI flicks and the thin, over-hyped blockbusters endlessly served up to audiences today. This movie grabs you from the very first scene, and never lets you go. Garbo's power and presence and brilliant acting dominate the film and make a thrilling story even more memorable.

You won't regret watching this film -- I guarantee that!

Make it 7.5!

[JohnHowardReid · 7/10 · 2 August 2015]

Although this picture was one of the top ten at the U.S./Canadian box office for 1934, I think "Queen Christina" is somewhat over- rated. Garbo of course is magnificent. Superbly costumed and superbly set, like an ultra-polished jewel in a perfect surround. What is not so perfect is the script, which tends to be much given to verbose speeches. All this talk is wonderful when Garbo is doing the speaking, but somewhat less than entrancing when mouthed by such second-rate players as Lewis Stone, Ian Keith and John Gilbert, whose collective acting style in this movie can only be described as old-fashioned declamatory or even hammy. Stone, alas, is by far the worst offender. The way he pitches his voice so that it has an uncanny knack of hogging the mike, the way he beats up with much facial grimacing his repetitious and woefully predictable lines, the way he gestures with his hands, the patent insincerity and hallow shamming of his whole manner, betoken the true ham, the third-rate thespian who has nothing to offer but the most superficial vocal and histrionic "tricks". Gilbert is a lot better. He's obviously trying hard to please, but obviously receiving little help from his dialogue coach. Not only does his voice have that celebrated odd timbre which seems to mis-match his image, but he tends to deliver his lines in a stiff, unnatural manner. Oh yes, there are times, I know, when he's quite effective. But these, alas, are in the minority. He's also hampered by being unflatteringly photographed — Daniels reserves all his best efforts for Garbo, really pouring on the light in her close-ups — and none too attractively costumed. Oddly enough, it's young Elizabeth Young and old Sir C. Aubrey Smith (who appears at first sight to be miscast) who alone bring a bit of credit to the support cast (though we will give Reginald Owen the benefit of the doubt by saying he is the victim of inept direction). Mamoulian is a great pictorial stylist, no doubt of that. Many of the images and visuals in Queen Christina linger long in the memory. The famous final fade-out close-up is not alone in nostalgic elegance and atmosphere. Many of the long shots — particularly those with Garbo framed like a child — are equally beautiful, equally haunting. The music score, sad to say, is awful. Worse still, executive producer Irving Thalberg's brother-in-law has contributed his usual remarkably tinny sound recording. Fortunately, this problem has been rectified to some extent on the current Warner Archive DVD.

A magnificent and thought-provoking romance

[1930s_Time_Machine · 8/10 · 17 July 2023]

Period dramas made in the past often fall foul of reflecting the time which they were made in, not when they were set. This one however is timeless and ageless evoking a feel of the seventeenth century whilst still being very much a grand MGM epic from the golden age of Hollywood. It's beautifully and imaginatively crafted by maestro director Rouben Mamoulian to perfection and acted with complete believability and passion evoking some very real emotion.

It is set during the truly horrific (and complicated) Thirty Years War and begins with the death of the Protestant leader, Swedish king, Gustav Adolf. He leaves behind his seven year old daughter to take over as 'king' to continue leading Sweden in the terrible war. Greta Garbo's particular acting style and strong Swedish accent which can sometimes feel a little too theatrical at times is for once absolutely perfectly suited to playing this person who in reality had to be the greatest actress in Sweden. The role Christina had to play was to convince her subjects that their suffering, their sacrifices were God's will and unquestionably necessary. Her act was to instil such hatred of the enemy, such detestation of Catholicism that the mass slaughter of literally millions of people could be justified but it was all just an act. Although this state of perpetual war was all she had ever known, Christina herself could not convince herself that this was indeed God's will and Garbo brilliantly with incredible subtlety conveys this inner mental turmoil. Her other role was produce an heir and that is what this film uses as its hook to get into her mind.

Greta Garbo was personally involved with the making of this film, it was her own pet project and she insisted that her co-star would be her old flame, John Gilbert. He too is excellent as Christina's Spanish love interest. Fuelled with the memories of their past passionate affair, the chemistry between the two of them seems very real and is genuinely touching. Before you start to complain that the love story between Christina and Alfonso is completely made up you should know that the writer used this very clever device to symbolise her inner struggles, the epic battles going on inside her head between her feelings as a compassionate and sensitive, intelligent woman and her feelings as a king. John Gilbert's allegorical character represents Christina's aspirations, her desire for independence and her desire for freedom which she knows can never be. The famous tragic last scene (which is honestly quite emotional) is inevitable.

The story is tragically sad and so is the story of poor John Gilbert. His ill-advised monumental fall out with Louis Mayer, the most powerful man in Hollywood completely destroyed his career resulting in his death from alcoholism just three years after making this. Such tragedies seemed to be all too common back in the days of the 'studio system' with stars such as John Gilbert, John Barrymore and Clara Bow. A guy driving a truck driver or girl from the typing pool were virtually overnight given a new life, earning literally millions of dollars and then maybe a year later, at the whim of a studio head were unemployed, that life was over. In some ways John Gilbert's character in this film which can logically only have one ending reflects the actor's own trajectory.

A great queen reduced to Ruritanian romance--but Garbo is still spectacular

[netwallah · 6/10 · 15 June 2006]

I don't know enough about the historical Queen Christina, but I suspect several key elements of this movie are products not of the 17th century but of 1930s sensibilities. The real queen was strong, bright, determined, and intellectual—she invited Descartes to Sweden to teach her. At some point she converted to Roman Catholicism and abdicated the throne, probably in order to live in a climate more hospitable to her interests in learning, science, and the arts, and perhaps more hospitable to her religion. In the movie, Queen Christina (Greta Garbo) is an austere and unconventional monarch, dressed in man's clothing and riding and hunting with her trusty servant Aage (C. Aubrey Smith), and she determines to end the years of war and bloodshed. She's reluctant to marry her cousin the hero-prince Charles, and when she meets and falls in love with the Spanish ambassador (John Gilbert), she has a reason not to marry Charles. The film relegates her studies to early morning reading, and her abandonment of the crown to love of a foreigner—one who dies inconveniently just before they set off together for Spain. This Christina is a great deal simpler than the historical Christina—her main objection to staying on as a queen is that it would prevent her from being happy with the man she loves. This Christina is far more driven by emotions, far quicker to leave her talents for ruling behind, far more ready to leave her people in the hands of less qualified rulers, far more heterosexual. But in exchange we get Garbo, far more convincing as a woman in love than as a steely-minded royal strategist. There are some scenes in which she is really astonishingly lovely, and that should be enough to counteract the sense that this movie isn't really about the queen of Sweden—it's another Ruritanian romance with a Swedish flavour.

Garbo Reigns Supreme

[jem132 · 9/10 · 31 May 2008]

Brilliant Mamoulian film with Greta Garbo in perhaps her most iconic role. She is, of course, Queen Christina of Sweden, who ascends the throne at a tender age after her father dies on the battlefield. Garbo's Christina is a fascinating mix of both feminine and masculine qualities, and the actress dominates the screen as the Queen who lives for her beloved country, yet would rather abdicate than give up true love with her Spanish lover (John Gilbert).

I have only seen two Mamoulian films (the other being "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde") but he surely has to be one of the greats of the 30's; he got the camera moving again in the early talkie period and both films have a sort of decadent touch to them. Garbo and Gilbert romance by a roaring fire whilst eating grapes, for god's sake! He also worships Garbo's unforgettable face by giving her as many close-ups I can think of in any film.

Queen Christina

[jboothmillard · 7/10 · 4 May 2013]

The actress who starred in Camille and Ninotchka only acted in twenty eight films and retired at the age of thirty five, and this is one of her most quintessential and famous roles, from director Rouben Mamoulian (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Basically, set in the 17th Century, in Sweden in the year 1632 during the Thirty Years' War six year old Christina ascends the throne, and growing into an adult Christina (Greta Garbo) often dresses as a man for a more authoritarian appearance, and has a love for literature and the arts. Massive casualties on both sides of the war are happening as it rages on, and despite the Swedish side seemingly winning, the Queen would rather have peace, and at the same time her loyal subjects have her love life on their minds and know that there should be an heir to ensure longevity of the nation. Christina is believed and seemingly assured that she will marry the hero of the battles in the war Prince Charles Gustavus (Reginald Owen), but the Lord Treasurer Count Magnus (Ian Keith) makes the mistake in the believing he can have the queen, but she is not pursuing love to pay attention to fighting the war. But she changes her mind the visiting Spanish envoy Antonio (John Gilbert) who works for King Philip of Spain, they meet in a snowbound inn, and with their forced time together they fall in love, but he has no idea who she is. When he does find out they have to decide if their relationship can work within the constraints of their duties, and the troubles for him and Christina increase when Count Magnus, who wants the Queen for himself, gets the public on his side to uprise against her love interest in the name of patriotism. Also starring Lewis Stone as Chancellor Oxenstierna, Elizabeth Young as Ebba Sparre, C. Aubrey Smith as Aage, Georges Renavent as French Ambassador, Gustav Von Seyffertitz as General and David Torrence as Archbishop. I will be honest and say that I drifted in a few moments, especially with all the political stuff, and I agree with the critics it is a bit of a slow pace throughout, but the love story going on is interesting, Garbo is of course the biggest reason to see this film, to see her looking beautiful and being all noble and dignified, overall it still a worthwhile historical romantic drama. Very good!

Steamy but boring

[HotToastyRag · 3/10 · 12 January 2020]

I wonder how much of Queen Christina would have made it past the censors had it been released one year later under the watchful eye of the Hays Code. There are some pretty steamy bedroom scenes between Greta Garbo and John Gilbert that communicate a great deal, even by today's standards. Greta, the queen of Sweden, often traverses the countryside dressed as a man, since she was raised as a boy by her father. She hunts, wears pants, wears her hair short, has a male valet-played by the sweet C. Aubrey Smith-and refuses to marry. "I'm going to die a bachelor!" she proclaims, correcting her aide who asked if she wanted to become an old maid. When she spends the night at an inn, she's assumed to be a man, and John Gilbert is asked to bunk up with her because all the other rooms are full. As they undress to get ready for bed, Greta's gender is revealed. They spend the night together, and in the morning, the innkeeper enters the room and observes the curtains drawn on the four-poster bed. John Gilbert calls out that neither of them will be coming downstairs for breakfast but instead want it served up in their room. The innkeeper looks uncomfortable but obeys and leaves them alone.

For those of you who don't know about the Hays Code, that scene was a really big deal. Men and women would never be shown to have spent the night together in that way, with their voices emanating from behind the curtains of a bed. Twin beds were preferable, and at least one person's feet had to be seen touching the floor, if one of them was lying down. Queen Christina was a very dirty movie for 1933. Following their breakfast in bed, John lounges by the fireplace and Greta returns to bed, hugging her pillow and very obviously reminiscing about their night together. She's transformed, and for the rest of the movie, she wears gowns and acts as feminine as she can.

While most of you probably want to hop right out and rent this movie for your next date night, a word of caution: the rest of the movie is incredibly boring. Greta Garbo's famous "face that launched a thousand ships" scene is in this movie, but when she's carrying out her royal duties and conversing with her advisors, Lewis Stone, Reginald Owen, and Ian Keith, you'll struggle to stay awake. Her acting chops are not shown off in this movie, as she vacillates from overdramatic antics leftover from her silent movies to stern, boring, royal monologues. Unless you really, really love her, you'll probably be bored to tears.