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