Katharina - Die nackte Zarin

Katharina, die Nackte Zarin, as it was originally titled, has been a personal obsession of mine since I happened to see a trailer for the film and fell in love with the pouting Uschi Karnat (aka Sandra Nova) who plays Catherine the Great (Katharina) in this film.

First, this is an "adult" film. This fact needs to be established at the beginning because part of my interest in the film is how it differs in some ways from other films in this highly formulaic genre. Next, I have seen two versions of this film, a feature running 107 minutes by my DVD player, which focuses more on the story, and a two part film which stresses more the sex at the expense of the story. Which of these versions one would prefer to see might depend on what the viewer is primarily interested in watching the film for. I like both versions!

The 107 minute version (the version I saw in French) is the story of Basil, a member of the Queen's army. A Cossack group has started a rebellion and its leader has set himself up as the new Czar. The Cossacks attack Basil's village, killing many of the peasants. Basil seeks help from the Queen, but finds that she is more interested in personal pleasure than matters of state. Katharina takes a shine to Basil, but Basil prefers Maria, one of the Queen's handmaidens. This does not set well with Katharina. This version does a decent job with the story. It effectively resolves the Cossacks and Basil/Maria storylines at the end. It is also light on explicit sex.

However, "light" does not mean free of explicit sex. Before watching the film, I had assumed that it would be a softcore version of the film. In fact, the 107 minute version still has actual sex. It's just very brief (although longer than what one would expect out of a "legitimate" movie).

The two part version of the film (which I watched in German from a dub off of the Tabu VHS tapes) puts the story second and amps up the sex. It is mainly the story of the sexy bedroom adventures of a kinky queen, with the Basil and Maria storyline put in the background. The film continues on twenty minutes past the resolution of the Basil and Maria storyline. This is to squeeze in one more sex scene involving Katharina and her handmaidens. Speaking of sex, the sex scenes are more plentiful and longer in screen time. For example, Basil's friend, an engineer, is a ladies' man in both versions, but in the Tabu cut, the scenes of his conquests do not fade to black just as they start (like in the 107 minute cut). However, those watching Katharina und Ihre Wilden Hengste only for its sex, might still be disappointed by even this two film version, since, while the sex is the main focus, it is not the film's only focus.

I like Katharina, die Nackte Zarin in both cuts for a couple reasons. First, the costumes and set designs are luxurious for an adult film. Caligula (another film I champion) is the only other film made for the adult film market that looks bigger. Growing up in the era of pornography shot on video, I am intrigued by adult films that look like real movies, as Katharina does.

Second, Uschi Karnat is a foxy lady. Few actresses have had such a lovely, pouting face. True, Karnat's performance in other movies have been as captivating (although she always looks great), but she owns the role of Katharina.

I am rating both versions of Katharina, die Nackte Zarin a 7 out of 10. That rating may seem high for what are essentially pornographic movies, but I rate on the basis of enjoyment. I enjoy these films!