Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- romantic
- glamorous
- classic movie night
- musical film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a stylish, witty, lavishly produced operetta with strong musical performances and Lubitsch's characteristic comic touch.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sonia's wealth provides 52 percent of Marshovia's taxes, making her possible marriage and departure a matter of state.
The film's romantic plotting and embassy comedy rely on polished understatement and suggestive humor associated with Lubitsch's direction.
The embassy ball and musical numbers provide elegant production design and choreography without overwhelming the romantic comedy.
The invented kingdom of Marshovia turns taxation, diplomacy, and royal authority into comic obstacles to Sonia and Danilo's relationship.
Films like The Merry Widow, and why
Love Me Tonight
shared sophisticated romantic comedy, musical spectacle, and urbane European setting
Trouble in Paradise
shared Ernst Lubitsch wit, elegant courtship, and polished pre-code musical style
The Smiling Lieutenant
shared operetta-based romance, charismatic musical leads, and lavish old-Hollywood charm
Movie Details
- Director
- Ernst Lubitsch
- Release Date
- 1934-11-02
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (70)
Cast
- Maurice Chevalier
- Jeanette MacDonald
- Edward Everett Horton
- Una Merkel
- George Barbier
- Minna Gombell
- Ruth Channing
- Sterling Holloway
- Donald Meek
- Herman Bing
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Merry Widow about?
- A wealthy widow's romantic independence becomes a national crisis when a Marshovian count is dispatched to Paris to prevent her from marrying abroad.
- What is The Merry Widow like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Merry Widow as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Merry Widow violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Merry Widow.
- What did critics think of The Merry Widow?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a stylish, witty, lavishly produced operetta with strong musical performances and Lubitsch's characteristic comic touch.
- Which films are like The Merry Widow?
- Films with a similar feel include Love Me Tonight, Trouble in Paradise, and The Smiling Lieutenant.
- How long is The Merry Widow?
- The Merry Widow runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Merry Widow?
- In United States, The Merry Widow is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
