Young Catherine (1991)

In 1744, a young Prussian princess (Julia Ormond) is sent to Russia for an arranged marriage to the heir (Reece Dinsdale) to the Russian throne. But first she must get the approval of the Empress Elizabeth (Vanessa Redgrave). Directed by Michael Anderson (AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS), this is a highly fictionalized version of Catherine The Great's early years that plays out like a Harlequin romance novel. It's full of court intrigue, secret romantic assignations and a demure heroine who grows into a strong woman. What it isn't is factual so I certainly hope no one watches this expecting an accurate depiction of the early years of Catherine The Great. For what it is, it's handsomely shot  by Ernest Day (A PASSAGE TO INDIA) with eye popping costumes courtesy of Larisa Konnikova. Ormond makes for an acceptable Catherine but the film belongs to Vanessa Redgrave who livens up every scene she's in which is no small feat when a costumer is this tired. The glee with which she watches a baby's birth (she even applauds) while the mother is screaming in pain justifies the entire three hours. With Christopher Plummer, Maximilian Schell, Marthe Keller, Franco Nero and Laurie Holden.