StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Sabah Hensley This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

gilbertcollins7 I think the former reviewer is much too hard on this film. To say that the second film "The Great King" does everything better is a statement that I just can't agree with.The actor playing Frederick is 'worth the price of admission'. Excellent job in both films. There is a big difference in the outlook of the two films. The former is much more optimistic while the latter was forced to be re-edited under Goebell's and Hitler's direction. Why? The second film showed the Russians of the time in too good a light. Hitler made sure that was changed, especially in 1942. But that is the second film. This one has some very good scenes with Frederick. What comes to mind is the one where he meets the farmers in the field or comes across a small village destroyed by the Austrians.

F Gwynplaine MacIntyre 'Fridericus' is one of several German films recounting the military career of Prussia's king Friedrich the Second. An earlier version, the silent film 'Fridericus Rex' (made before Hitler's rise to power), has little to recommend it beyond a good performance by Werner Krauss in a supporting role. 'Fridericus' was made barely a year after 'Der Alte und der Junge König', another biography of Friedrich. The best and most elaborate of these biopics is 'Der Grosse Konig', made in 1942. 'Fridericus' stars Otto Gebuhr in the title role: the same actor who portrayed Friedrich in 'Der Grosse Konig' (The Great King).'Fridericus' is a less effective film than 'The Great King' (basically a remake), but a comparison of the two films is interesting. 'Fridericus' was made in 1936, when Hitler was firmly in power but the Second World War had not started yet. 'The Great King' was made in 1942, when Hitler's biggest victories were past and it was likely that the Third Reich would lose the war. This explains why 'The Great King' places greater emphasis on Friedrich's military struggle against superior forces and overwhelming odds.There's nothing in 'Fridericus' that isn't done better in 'The Great King', including Otto Gebuhr's performance in the title role. The best thing in 'Fridericus' is a brief performance by beautiful dark-eyed Lil Dagover as Madame Pompadour. I'll rate this movie 2 points out of 10.