Summary
The Smolny Institute at St Petersburg provides a refuge for the
daughters of noble families who have fallen on hard times. One of
the pupils is Katia Dolgorouki, a girl with a bad reputation who keeps
a photograph of Tsar Alexander I under her pillow. When the
photograph is found, she insists that she was given it by the Tsar
himself when he once visited her family. A few days later, the
Tsar arrives at the institute and when Katia is presented to him the
director of the Institute tells him the story of the photograph.
Katia is surprised when Alexander confirms the story and then takes her
out for a walk in the snow. Succumbing to Katia’s charms, the
Tsar promises that her family will soon have their fortune restored to
them. Katia leaves the Institute and embarks on a passionate love
affair with Alexander, even though the latter is still married.
To quash the rumours, Alexander sends Katia to France to further her
education. During a visit to Napoléon III, Alexander seeks
Katia out and decides to make her his official mistress on their
return to Russia. In the meantime, the enemies of the Tsar’s
regime are preparing to assassinate him on his next public visit to St
Petersburg...
© Willems Henri (Brussels, Belgium)
© Willems Henri (Brussels, Belgium)
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Related links
- The best French dramas
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Credits
- Director: Robert Siodmak
- Script: Georges Neveux, Charles Spaak
- Photo: Michel Kelber
- Music: Joseph Kosma
- Cast: Romy Schneider (Katia), Curd Jürgens (Czar Alexander II), Pierre Blanchar (Koubaroff), Antoine Balpêtré (Kilbatchich), Françoise Brion (Sophie), Monique Mélinand (Tsarina Maria), Michel Bouquet (Bibesco), Bernard Dhéran (Stéphane Ryssakov), Margo Lion (La surveillante de l’institute Smolny), Jacqueline Marbaux (Mlle Trépeau), Hubert Noël (Michel Dolgorouki), Marcel d’Orval (Petit rôle), Yves Barsacq (Katourine), Yves Gladine (Petit rôle), Alain Saury (Soloviev), Gabrielle Dorziat (La directrice de l’institute Smolny)
- Country: France
- Language: French
- Runtime: 91 min
- Aka: Adorable Sinner; Magnificent Sinner
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