The Soldier and the Lady, also known as The Story of Captain Alexis, is an American adventure drama adapted from Jules Verne’s novel Michael Strogoff. The story follows Captain Alexis Michael Strogoff, a brave courier for the Russian Czar, who is tasked with delivering an urgent message across Siberia during a rebellion. Along the way, Strogoff faces betrayal, physical hardship, and torture at the hands of the enemy. Despite the obstacles, his courage, loyalty, and determination carry him through, and his mission becomes a testament to bravery in the face of adversity.
Genre: Adventure Drama
Director: George Nicholls Jr.
George Nicholls Jr. (1897–1939) was an American film director active during the 1930s. Though his career was short-lived, he directed several dramas and adventure films for RKO Pictures. Known for his efficient storytelling and ability to adapt literary material, Nicholls brought a blend of Hollywood polish and narrative drive to his projects. The Soldier and the Lady is one of his most notable works, demonstrating his ability to stage action and suspense against historical backdrops.
Star Cast:
- Anton Walbrook as Michael Strogoff
- Elizabeth Allan as Nadia
- Margot Grahame as Sangarre
- Akim Tamiroff as Ogareff
- Fay Bainter as Marfa Strogoff
- Eric Blore as Harry Blount
- Edward Brophy as Alcide Jolivet
The film was moderately well received upon release, praised for its colorful adventure and strong performances, particularly Anton Walbrook’s portrayal of the courageous Strogoff and Akim Tamiroff’s villainous Ogareff. While it was not a major box-office hit, it was admired for its sweeping adaptation of Verne’s tale and its mix of action, romance, and melodrama. It also introduced Walbrook, an Austrian actor, to wider American audiences before his later success in British cinema.
Fun Facts:
- The film was based on Jules Verne’s 1876 novel Michael Strogoff, one of the author’s more historically grounded adventure stories.
- Anton Walbrook, cast as the heroic Strogoff, later became famous in Britain for his roles in Powell and Pressburger films such as The Red Shoes (1948) and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943).
- Akim Tamiroff, playing the treacherous Ogareff, was nominated for multiple Academy Awards during his career and was widely admired for his ability to play both villains and comic roles.
- The movie was also released under the alternate title Michael Strogoff in some markets.
- This adaptation was one of several international film versions of Michael Strogoff produced during the 1920s and 1930s, showing the story’s global popularity.
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