The Queen of Spades
1949 · Movie · NR · 95 min · ★ 6.6 · 91% critics
In wintry old Russia, a poor army officer becomes consumed by a rumor that an elderly noblewoman holds a supernatural secret to always winning at cards. As his obsession grows, he manipulates those around her to get close, risking love, honor, and his own soul for a chance at fortune.
Based on The Queen of Spades
Where to watch
Streaming on BFI Player Classics.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1949
- Release date
- 1949-03-16
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Critic score
- 91/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.6/10 (59 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a patient, atmospheric period tale of greed and supernatural dread, closer to The Picture of Dorian Gray than jump-scare horror; Not for you if slow pacing and talky buildup frustrate you.
Pros: eerie slow-burn mood; strong central performance; memorable period detail | Cons: slow first hour; stretched party scenes; not very scary
Themes
- gambling
- supernatural
- black and white
- devil
- card playing
Cast & crew
Anton Walbrook
as Capt. Herman Suvorin
Edith Evans
as The Old Countess Ranevskaya
Yvonne Mitchell
as Lizavetta Ivanova
Ronald Howard
as Andrei
Mary Jerrold
as Old Varvarushka
Anthony Dawson
as Fyodor
Miles Malleson
as Tchybukin
Michael Medwin
as Hovaisky
Athene Seyler
as Princess Ivashin
Ivor Barnard
as Bookseller
Directed by Thorold Dickinson