| Description |
1 videodisc (120 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD; Region 1, NTSC; stereo; widescreen presentation. |
| Performer |
Narrator, John Burgess; commentators Isabel De Madariaga, Wladimir Berelowitch, Simon Sebag Montefiori, Dominic Lieven, Claus Scharf, Alexandr Kamenskii, Hélène Carrère d'Encausse. |
| Cast |
Emily Bruni (Catherine the Great), Diana-Florentina Dumbrava (Empress Elizabeth), Danut Chiriac (Peter III), Claudiu Bleont (Grigory Orloff), Adrian Anghel (Alexei Orloff), Dan Badarau (Grigory Potemkin). |
| Credits |
Photography, David Scott, Simon French ; editor, Steve Stevenson (episode 1), Alex Richardson (episode 2) ; original music, Debbie Wiseman. |
| Event |
Originally aired in the US by PBS in two parts, on May 8 and 15, 2006. |
| Note |
Originally produced in 2005. |
| Audience |
MPAA Rating: Not rated; Canadian Home Video rating: G. |
| Summary |
A minor German princess with connections to Swedish royalty, the future Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia began as the handpicked bride of the future Czar. When he ascended the throne, Catherine plotted his overthrow, took power, and began to pull her country out of the dark ages. She led Russia for 30 years, creating an enviable dynasty build on cunning and ruthlessness, in addition to newfound notions of justice, progress, and a centralized government. Ahead of her time, Catherine the Great stands as a model for light in a time of great cultural and sociological darkness. In blending discussion of the facts by scholars--each presenting a particular slant on Catherine's life and conduct--with fictional recreations of pivotal events in her life, this film presents a well-rounded portrait of 18th Century Europe's most 'enlightened' despot. |
| Contents |
Episode One Sofia -- Peter -- Catherine -- Marriage -- Producing an heir -- Dangerous relationship -- War, treason and political triumph -- Catherine creates her own destiny -- Empress Catherine -- Credits / written, produced and directed [by] Paul Burgess ; producers, John-Paul Davidson, Teresa Cherfas (2005) (57 min.). |
|
Episode Two Natural power player -- Enlightened ruler -- Expanding the empire -- Potemkin -- Rebellion -- Madame Potemkin -- Greek project : a new Byzantium -- Propaganda war -- Fear of revolution & lost idealism -- Great empire builder -- Credits / written, produced and directed [by] John Paul Davidson ; producer, Teresa Cherfas (2005) (57 min.). |
| Language |
In English with some Russian and French, occasionally subtitled in English; closed-captioned. |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Catherine II, Empress of Russia, 1729-1796.
|
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Empresses -- Russia -- Biography.
|
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Russia -- History -- Catherine II, 1762-1796.
|
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Russia -- History -- 1689-1801.
|
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Russia -- Kings and rulers -- Biography.
|
| Genre/Form |
Documentary television programs.
|
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Video recordings for the hearing impaired.
|
| Added Author |
Burgess, Paul. Director. Screenwriter. Producer.
|
|
Davidson, John-Paul. Director. Screenwriter. Producer.
|
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Cherfas, Teresa.
|
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Burgess, John.
|
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Bruni, Emily.
|
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Dumbrava, Diana-Florentina, 1967-
|
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Chiriac, Danut.
|
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Brook Lapping Productions.
|
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Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
|
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British Broadcasting Corporation.
|
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Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
|
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Association relative à la télévision européenne
|
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PBS Home Video.
|
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Paramount Home Entertainment (Firm)
|
| Note |
Title on disc label and container: Empress of Russia Catherine the Great |
| ISBN |
1415716897 |
|
9781415716892 |
| Standard No. |
841887050494 |
| Music No. |
705049 PBS Home Video |
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