How many "Russian" movies were made in France in the thirties?All take place in a chocolate box land,all -with one or two exceptions - were played by French actors and all deal with the pre-Revolution era . Did the directors feel nostalgic for the czars? Did they remember the Franco -Russian alliance -which partly led the country to WW1 all the same ?
The movie itself begins with a remembrance of this baleful agreement. A handsome Russian count (Wilm ,who was also in L'Herbier's "Tragédie Impériale " -the downfall of the Romanov-)meets an elegant woman in charge of killing the imperial grand duke .She's part of a bunch of terrorists who kills everyone they meet on their way to revolution . The plot thickens when they meet the VIP's lover ,a countess who treats her puppy doggie with great care (the always efficient Suzy Prim).The dashing officer is so in love with the treacherous lady he marries her but the grand duke also covets her ,and his mistress is not prepared to accept it.
This is generally entertaining stuff ,with a screenplay made with care by a good craftsman.A far-fetched melodramatic ending ,but it's the rule of the game .
