Queen Christina ascended to the throne at the young age of six. She had a strange childhood, often being raised as a male. The Abdication is the story of Christina’s abdication of her throne in 1654 in favor of Catholicism. There were stories about her sexual orientation and her lifestyle.
After abdicating, Christina (Liv Ullmann) traveled to Rome to be embraced by the Pope and to herself embrace the Catholic church. This film tells the story of her time in Rome and what could have been the one true love of her life, Cardinal Azzolino (Peter Finch) who was assigned to “examine” Christina to discover her true feelings for the church and her life. Why did she give up her power for the church? What was truly behind her decision? What did she want from the church, and from life?
Forbidden Love
During her discussions with the Cardinal, Christina’s life unfolds to the viewers. She describes her relationships with women and men, and the fact that she never wanted to marry a man or have any children. During their time together Cardinal Azzolino and Christina formed an unusual relationship of mutual admiration and attraction. This also led to lust which is at the heart of this film.
Christina vowed never to give herself to anyone, except Cardinal Azzolino. This could have been the end of their time together and he could have assigned another Cardinal to continue the “examination” of the former Queen, but he didn’t. Azzolino felt the same way about Christina that she did about him. They faced a terrible dilemma. Would he give up his life for her and run away together as she suggested?
Liv Ullmann and Peter Finch
This is truly a dramatic story played out beautifully by the two stars, Liv Ullmann and Peter Finch. Finch gives a great performance as a man in dire conflict. There are times when viewers might think the two will end up together, but as history shows, they did not.
Liv Ullmann is an attractive woman but in the film is made up to be a plain, non-sexual woman to portray the enigmatic Christina. What drives the Queen and what propelled her through her life?
The politics of the country are not discussed in the film. It focuses on the personality of Christina and her strange desires. And in the end it is simply the story of two people who fell in love and were not able to be together. That is what viewers will take away from this movie.
For a brief history of Queen Christina, go to this site.
The Abdication is part of the Warner Archive Collection and is Made to Order from their website.
The Abdication (1974)
Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Rated: PG
Running time: 102 minutes
