Strizhenov plays a poverty-stricken officer in St. Petersburg. He becomes overwhelmed with the desire to acquire a large fortune. He learns about an old countess who became rich by means of a secret card hand learned from an old lover. Her success gained her the title "The Queen of
Spades." Through the woman's granddaughter (Krassina), with whom Strizhenov falls in love, he gains access to the old woman (Polevetskaya.) If she reveals the secret she will die, but Strizhenov's obsession is too great for him to care. When he approaches her with a pistol and demands the secret,
the old woman dies of fright. He later meets Krassina on a canal bank near the Winter Palace...
Released:
1960
Rated:
NR
Length:
105 mins