The Scarlet Empress

During the early 1930's, when no one really seemed to know what to do with this new sound thing, Joseph von Sternberg was one of the few visually captivating directors working in America. Made in 1934, just before the Hays Code went into effect, he made this erotically charged film starring Marlene Dietrich. Von Sternberg seems captivated by Dietrich, almost to the point of fetishism as he places her at the center of the opulent historical pagent. The story concerning Dietrich's marriage to a half-wit baron and subsequent sexual conquests for power is merely an excuse to show off von Sternberg's decors. Unfortunately, this self-confessed "exercise of style" seems very empty. The camera moves, the lighting is delicate, and the production design is as ornate and elaborate as any I've ever seen. I might argue, however, that he goes too far, to the point of litterally cluttering the frame with visual stimuli, that at times is painterly, and at others is merely distracting. As a gift to Dietrich is succeeds, as a visual exercise it is at least bold, but as a movie, I was left wanting more.