The Abdication

The Abdication is a 1974 British historical drama film directed by Anthony Harvey and starring Peter Finch and Liv Ullmann. The film's score was composed by Nino Rota. It tells a fictionalized version of the rumored love affair between Christina, Queen of Sweden and Cardinal Decio Azzolino during the former's stay in Rome after abdicating her throne.

Plot

After abdicating her throne and converting to Catholicism, Queen Christina arrives in Rome, where Cardinal Azzolino is appointed to evaluate her and to help her to adapt to life in Rome. They fall in love, but after the Pope's death, Azzolino rejects her to re-embrace his position in the church.

Cast

Peter Finch as Azzolino

Liv Ullmann as Queen Christina

Cyril Cusack as Oxenstierna

Paul Rogers as Altieri

Graham Crowden as Barberini

Michael Dunn as The Dwarf

Kathleen Byron as Queen Mother

Lewis Fiander as Dominic

Harold Goldblatt as Pinamonti

Tony Steedman as Carranza

Noel Trevarthen as Ginetti

Richard Cornish as Charles

James Faulkner as Magnus

Ania Marson as Ebba

Franz Drago as Birgito

Suzanne Huddart as Young Christina

Debbie Nicholson as Young Ebba

Edward Underdown as Christina's Father

See also

List of British films of 1974

References

External links

The Abdication at the British Film Institute

1974 films

British biographical drama films

British historical drama films

Films directed by Anthony Harvey

Cultural depictions of Christina, Queen of Sweden

Biographical films about Swedish royalty

Films scored by Nino Rota

1970s biographical drama films

1970s historical drama films

Films set in the 17th century

Films set in Vatican City

Films shot at Pinewood Studios

Warner Bros. films

1974 drama films

1970s English-language films

1970s British films