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• Fact Checking

  • Anne
  • 10/8/12

  I would like to correct two assertions made by previous reviewers. First, Mamoulian did not cast Garbo in this film. In a contract she signed with her studio, MGM, in 1932, Garbo was given more control over her films, directors, and co-stars. She chose to make Queen Christina, Mamoulian to direct, and Gilbert to co-star. Second, Garbo's relationship with Gilbert ended five years before the making of this movie. Which is, in my view, a splendid Garbo picture by the way! Certainly one of ther best.

• Queen Christina

  • Dashiell Barnes
  • 9/18/12

  An overlooked film from Garbo's filmography. Garbo & Gilbert, her real-life lover, are excellent as a Swedish Queen & a Spanish ambassador whose responsibilities hinder their romance. Lavish costumes & sets bring the era to life, however the story gets dull 2/3 into the film. A finely-made story that allows Garbo to dominate the screen. I give it a 3.5/5.

• Queen Christina

  • Mark Sutch
  • 4/12/11

  ***1/2

• Movie Beyond Times! Masterpiece!

  • Marcin Kukuczka
  • 6/24/10

  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! And that chemistry between Garbo and Gilbert... so much reminds me of the silent masterwork FLESH AND THE DEVIL. A wonderful film truely beyond times and cultures! A pearl of Hollywood's golden years! Something you see and never forget

• a perfect movie,a true masterpiece

  • charles delacruz
  • 4/11/10

  this movie is one of the best movies i have ever saw in my life and i wish todays movies were as good as they were in the 30s to the 60s christina will always be remembered on tcm because this movie is a true classic.GRETA GARBO SHOULD HAVE NEVER DIED!!!!

• Garbo & Gilbert, but Mostly Garbo

  • Melissa_Aaron
  • 5/15/09

  Watching Greta Garbo act with her real love interest, John Gilbert, in "Queen Christina" is at once delicious & amusing. The most amusing scenes are when "Antonio" & "Christina" are enclosed in an inn's bed with the Spanish entourage & innkeepers believing they are both men. In the meantime, "Antonio" (Gilbert) doesn't know she's the queen. Garbo's performance is my favorite of all of hers. I wish TCM would air this wonderful film.

• Magnificent

  • Cesar Barron
  • 4/29/09

  Garbo plays the role of Queen Christina with aplomb and authority truly befitting a monarch. The romantic scenes are exquisite, in particular the famous "ballet" scene, and the ending is heartbreaking without bordering on corny.

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