Catherine ( Elle Fanning ), a young German Princess, arrives at the Russian court. She is the mail-order bride of the Russian Emperor, Peter (Nicholas Hoult - X-Men: First Class ).
The good news is that Catherine has a helpful servant, Marial ( Phoebe Fox ), the daughter of a disgraced nobleman.
Peter (Nicholas Hoult - X-Men: First Class ) has ordered all Russian men to shave their beards. One of the noblemen has refused to obey this law.
The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church has died. Peter (Nicholas Hoult - X-Men: First Class ) must select a replacement. Unfortunately Peter fears the priests, and will do anything to avoid spending time anywhere near them.
Catherine ( Elle Fanning ) must rig the selection so a progressive candidate is chosen.
Catherine ( Elle Fanning ) gives Peter (Nicholas Hoult - X-Men: First Class ) a printing press as a gift. Since he previously outlawed them, so the Eastern Orthodox Church could maintain a monopoly, this is a real change in the status quo.
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