The Queen of Spades (1949)

63% of users liked it
(358 ratings)

A supernatural tale based on a short story by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, this is the portrayal of a poor Captain in the Russian army in the nineteenth Century. His comrades in arms play cards nightly, but he cannot afford to join them until one night he dreams that he has gained from a… More A supernatural tale based on a short story by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, this is the portrayal of a poor Captain in the Russian army in the nineteenth Century. His comrades in arms play cards nightly, but he cannot afford to join them until one night he dreams that he has gained from a mysterious aging countess her secret for winning at faro--a secret which legend has it she has sold her soul to obtain. This story has been filmed at least a dozen times, but this is by far the best version. Eight of the versions were silent films and another version was done as recently as 1965. A period piece, the settings and costumes are superb. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Thorold Dickinson
Genres: Drama, Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 30, 1949 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
A black-and-white gem that truly deserves to be hailed as a 'lost classic'.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
Two classics of early British horror have been thoughtfully doubled-up on a DVD release that should be on any fright fan's shelf.
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
It's more distressing to witness just how much the mood of a dark and uncompromising masterpiece can be sabotaged by a producer with his eyes on the easy uplift.

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Cast

            Anton Walbrook as Herman Sovotin

            Edith Evans as Countess Ranevskaya

            Yvonne Mitchell as Lizavetta Ivanova

            Ronald Howard as Andrei

            Mary Jerrold as Old Varvarushka

            Anthony Dawson as Fyodor

            Miles Malleson as Tschybukin

            Michael Medwin as Ilovaisky

            Athene Seyler as Princess Ivashin

            Ivor Barnard as Bookseller

            Violetta Elvin as Gypsy Dancer

            Pauline Tennant as Young Countess

            Yusef Ramart as Countess's Lover

            Valentine Dyall as St. Germain's Messenger

            Gordon Begg
            
            Elwyn Brook-Jones
            
            Jacqueline Clark as Milliner's Assistant

            Ian Colin
            
            Maroussia Dmitravitch as Gypsy Singer

            Pauline Jameson
            
            Aubrey Mallalieu
            
            Clement McCallin
            
            Gibb McLaughlin as Birdseller

            Hay Petrie
            
            Aubrey Woods
            
            George Woodbridge
            
            Sigurdur Sverrir Palsson
            
            Drusilla Wills
            
            John Howard (II)
            
See full cast

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