It's important that you understand that this highly romanticized version of the life of Empress Elisabeth ('Sissi') of Austria is mostly fiction. As a recently retired history teacher, I pay careful attention to such things. Plus, when my wife and I visited Vienna a few years ago, the locals often laughed at these movies and regaled us with tales of the REAL Sissi--who was, in some ways, a thoroughly self-absorbed and seemingly emotionally disturbed lady. The real Sissi was OBSESSED with her looks and clearly had a serious eating disorder as well. So, I guess to live up to her almost impossible standard of beauty, she eventually had her life revolve around all this--the constant exercise, fasting, refusal to sleep with her husband (lest she get pregnant and destroy her figure), SEVERE corseting (even by Victorian-era standards) and her EXTREME beauty regimen (including olive oil baths and compresses of vinegar daily) took most of her time. This rather nutty real version of Sissi's life would be very fascinating...but romantic, it is not! And it just didn't fit the public image of the Empress in the 1950s. So, the filmmakers simply changed the facts to make a sweet little tale--occasionally sprinkled with some facts--but only occasionally! As far as this film goes, I think how much you enjoy it will have a lot to do with whether or not you like fairytale-like stories. For the romantics out there who love Cinderella--this is probably an easy sell. I also think that perhaps it will play a lot better in Austria and throughout Europe--where they are more familiar with the mythical image of Sissi and where they might have a greater appreciation of royalty. Many Americans are fascinated with the British royals--so they may also love this sort of tale--and many are not fans of royalty. As for me, I don't understand why many in my country feel any sort of connection with a bunch of pampered and highly in-bred royals...but that's just part of my cranky personality! So, for me, it was an uphill battle for me to enjoy this film. Keep this in mind when you read the rest of my review.
As far as the look of the film goes, it's terrific. The film is made using the lovely 1950s color--and the DVD print is gorgeous. It also didn't hurt that much of the film was filmed in the Austrian Alps--with some of the most amazing natural beauty you could ask for in a movie. In addition, the music worked wonders with the scenery--setting a nice romantic mood for the film. It also didn't hurt that Romy Schneider was in the film. At 17, she was among the most beautiful young women in the world--and she played the character with a lot of seemingly natural charm. Unfortunately, the film also seemed a bit long and a tad slow. In other words, while quite pretty the plot was a bit on the slow side--but it was still quite watchable and entertaining.
I was happy to see Karlheinz Böhm in the film playing Emperor Franz Josef. That's because the only film I'd seen him in before this, "Peeping Tom" was an English-language film and it was nice to see him using his native tongue. And, by the way, "Peeping Tom" is a thoroughly amazing and creepy film--well worth your time unless you are very squeamish!
By the way, early in the film there seems to be a sort of mania about assassinations. This was very realistic as many leaders around the Western world in this era were the objects of assassinations and assassination attempts--such as two Presidents (Lincoln and Garfield), the King of Belgium, Czar Alexander II and even Sissi and her husband, Emperor Franz Josef. It seems that killing royalty and elected leaders alike was all the rage in the mid-late 19th century--not to mention all the ones that occurred in the following century!
As far as the look of the film goes, it's terrific. The film is made using the lovely 1950s color--and the DVD print is gorgeous. It also didn't hurt that much of the film was filmed in the Austrian Alps--with some of the most amazing natural beauty you could ask for in a movie. In addition, the music worked wonders with the scenery--setting a nice romantic mood for the film. It also didn't hurt that Romy Schneider was in the film. At 17, she was among the most beautiful young women in the world--and she played the character with a lot of seemingly natural charm. Unfortunately, the film also seemed a bit long and a tad slow. In other words, while quite pretty the plot was a bit on the slow side--but it was still quite watchable and entertaining.
I was happy to see Karlheinz Böhm in the film playing Emperor Franz Josef. That's because the only film I'd seen him in before this, "Peeping Tom" was an English-language film and it was nice to see him using his native tongue. And, by the way, "Peeping Tom" is a thoroughly amazing and creepy film--well worth your time unless you are very squeamish!
By the way, early in the film there seems to be a sort of mania about assassinations. This was very realistic as many leaders around the Western world in this era were the objects of assassinations and assassination attempts--such as two Presidents (Lincoln and Garfield), the King of Belgium, Czar Alexander II and even Sissi and her husband, Emperor Franz Josef. It seems that killing royalty and elected leaders alike was all the rage in the mid-late 19th century--not to mention all the ones that occurred in the following century!