"An exotic, fascinating film." ∗∗∗∗
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
ICO and Optimum Releasing are proud to present a special re-issue of Thorold Dickinson's classic supernatural drama The Queen of Spades, not seen in British cinemas since its original release in 1949.
The Queen of Spades is truly a lost gem of British cinema from much admired director Thorold Dickinson (Gaslight, High Command).
It is 1806, Imperial Russia and St Petersburg is in the grip of gambling fever. No card strikes more fear in to the hearts of the soldiers than the evil Queen of Spades.
Captain Herman Suvorin (Anton Walbrook) is a lowly German engineer: an outsider obsessed with making his fortune, whose peculiar manner isolates him from the revelries of the other bawdy soldiers.
He is intrigued, though, by the soldiers' gossip that tells of the legend of an ancient Countess (Dame Edith Evans), who supposedly sold her soul to the devil years before in exchange for the secret of success at the card game de jour: Faro.