It's difficult to imagine a more convincing portrayal of events surrounding the Princess’s life, especially considering how well Von Sternberg captures the ascent of Catherine the Great. Marlene Dietrich delivers an outstanding performance as a woman who finds herself manipulated but ultimately becomes a manipulative figure—the Grand Duchess wed to the unintelligent nephew of Empress Elizabeth, portrayed wonderfully by Sam Jaffe and Louise Dresser respectively. As she navigates relationships and forms alliances, she manages to overthrow her foolish husband and claim the throne for herself. The camera’s persistent focus on the star—almost like an act of reverence from both the lens and the director; the skillful use of light and darkness, notably candlelight; and a beautiful Tchaikovsky soundtrack more than make up for some of the artificial-looking miniature sets, resulting in a captivating account of ambition and control. It's truly excellent.

Source on TMDB